• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.39-48
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to determine the mercury accumulated at maternal and fetal organs, and compare its levels between maternal and fetal organs on day 20 of gestation, in pregnant Fisher-344 rats which given orally methylmercuric chloride on day 7 of gestation. Pregnant rats were divided four groups by dose: control group, and methylmercuric chloride treatment groups of 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg, respectively. The results obtained are as follows: I The mercury concentrations in maternal organs were the highest in kidney, and followed by blood, spleen, liver and brain. 2. The slopes of regression equation among mercury dose levels in maternal organs were as follows: Kidney 3.62 (r$^2$=0.943), Blood 2.75 (r$^2$=0.941), Spleen 2.49 (r$^2$=0.990), Liver 1.13 (r$^2$= 0.949), Brain 0.33 (r$^2$=0.984). 3. The mercury concentrations in fetal organs and placenta were the highest in liver, and followed by kidney, placenta and brain. 4. The slopes of regression equation among mercury dose levels in fetal organs and placenta were as follows: Liver 1.79 (r$^2$= 0.968), Kidney 0.79 (r$^2$= 0.976), Placenta 0.68 (r$^2$= 0.920), Brain 0.52 (r$^2$= 0.978), All Body 0.58 (r$^2$= 0.941). 5. As to the mercury levels in kidney, dams were 4.8~14.9 times higher than fetus. But as to the mercury levels in liver and brain, fetus were 1.6~2.5 and 1.5~1.9 times higher than dams. In conclusion, the mercury which exposured to pregnant rats can easily pass through the placenta and accumulated in fetus, especially higher in fetal liver and brain.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.386-391
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• 2007

Mercury contamination and its health effects have become major concern of environmental health study in Korea. Mercury exposure of some group were investigated to get the accurate data for policy making and study. About 2,000 children at 26 elementary schools participated in this survey to evaluate the exposure levels and to investigate main exposure source of mercury. Analysis of mercury levels in the whole blood and urine samples were conducted and questionnaire survey was done about the factors influencing exposures simultaneously. Mercury exposure levels of domestic children were N.D. to 17.26 ppb in blood, 0.17 to $21.67{\mu}g/g$-creatinine in urine. The mean(arithmetic) levels are 2.42 ppb in blood and $2.53{\mu}g/g$-creatinine in urine. Both of them were below the recommendation levels of US EPA and German CHBM I $5.8{\mu}g/l$ and $5{\mu}g/l$ in blood, $5{\mu}g/g$-creatinine of German CHBM I in urine. But 1%, 0.51% of levels in blood exceed the level of CHBM I and US EPA, 8%, 0.85% of children were over the level of CHBM I and CHBM II in urine. Multi-valuable regression analysis showed that the existence of road near the residence in addition to the preference for fish have significance with blood mercury exposure level of domestic children. The existence of factory near the house and the experience of dental amalgam treatment had statistical relations with urine mercury level.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.96-107
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• 1996

Automated blood pressure monitors have gained acceptance in many clinical settings with the increasing demand, the accurate BP measuring devices reguire the need for validation. We have evaluated the Dinamap 8100, an oscillometric automated blood pressure monitor, using the Mercury sphygmomanometer as a reference. Comparison of sphygmomanometers was conducted 60 patients (30-Normotensive group, 30-Hypertensive group at Seoul National University Hospital. Two trained observers took measure blood pressure(systolic/diastolic) at the same time using the Dinamap 8100 on one arm and the Mercury on the other. For each measurement, the device was randomly selected from a group of devices repetively used for the experiment. Mean readings for systolic pressure with the Dinamap 8100 in normotensive group were lower(mean difference ; 4.26mmHg) than the Mercury type. Mean readings for systolic pressure with the Dinamap 8100 in hypertensive group were lower(mean difference ; 9.05mmHg) than the Mercury type. Mean readings for diastolic pressure with the Dinamap 8100 in normotensive group were lower (mean difference ; 7.46mmHg) than the Mercury type. Mean readings for diastolic pressure with the Dinamap 8100 in hypertensive group were lower(mean difference ; 9.03mmHg) than the Mercury type. We have found that blood pressure readings with the Dinamap 8100 were lower than those with the Mercury type. we are using the Mercury type in clinics, although it has observer bias and terminal digit preference. But the Dinamap 8100 is readily portable, simple to use, and capable of preventing observer bias and terminal digit preference. The Dinamap 8100 is acceptable for blood pressure determination in subjects who are normotensive or hypertensive ones.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.723-728
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• 1999

Pulmonary embolism from metallic mercury is rare. It may occur after a deliberate intravenous injection of mercury as a suicide gesture, in the presence of drug abuse or severe psychiatric disturbance, with the hope of increasing athletic and sexual performance, and accidentally during right heart catheterization while sampling blood with mercury containing syringes. We have experienced the first case of pulmonary embolism associated with intravenous mercury injection in Korea. The blood mercury level remain elevated within the toxic range to date. This may be due to the continued absorption of embolized mercury. Multifocal areas of patchy perfusion defects are in both upper lung fields on perfusion scan of lung. Few of the abnormalities of respiratory or renal function reported previously were demonstrated. We report the case of a young male patient presenting with a clinical picture of pulmonary embolism, in whom widespread deposit of metallic mercury were demonstrated throughout both lungs and elsewhere in the body.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.569-575
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• 2007

This study was carried out to determine bioaccumulation levels of total mercury on various fish tissues in two streams (Banseok and Hasin Stream) and one lake (Yeongsan Lake) during April-May 2007. We also determined natural background levels of total mercury bioaccumulation to evaluate relative individual impacts of fish and compared the levels with reference sites as a preliminary study to evaluate heavy metal stressor using fish. For the study, we collected fishes in the sampling sites and analyzed the concentrations of total mercury in the liver, kidney, gill, vertebral column, and muscle tissues using Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80, US EPA Method 7473). The levels varied depending on the types of waterbody and tissues used. Concentrations of total mercury ranged between 5.1${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ and 108.6 ${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ in the streams and between 5.3${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ and 87.3 ${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ in the reservoir, and the values were highest in the muscle tissues. Levels of natural background levels of total mercury, even though the sampling number was few, averaged 23.6 ${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ in the study sites. The individual and mean values in each system was not so high in terms of US EPA criteria of fish health and human health, indicating that the impact was minor in the study site. Further studies should be done for the determination of mercury levels in the systems.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 1989

This study was performed to investigate the mercury concentration of restaurant meals and to estimate the total dietary intake of mercury. Experimental subjects were 66 cases in 11 kinds of common restaurant meals collected from the Seoul area. Total mercury was determined by Hg-analyzer and two kinds of atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results were as follows: 1. Mean value of mercury contents in fluid of meals was about 0.002 ppm and there was no significant difference between the two methods. 2. Mercury concentration of residue by AAS was significantly higher than that by Hg-analyzer. The mean values of mercury concentration were 2.423 ppm, 10.229 ppm and 11.655 ppm by Hg-analyzer, AAS-PE and AAS-Hi, respectively. 3. Dietary intake of mercury from the meals was estimated $7.806\;\mu\textrm{g}/day$ by Hg-analyzer and 31.290, $35.349\;\mu\textrm{g}/day$ by two kinds of AAS. The values were lower than the FAO/WHO limit, $42.9\;\mu\textrm{g}/day$.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 1984

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the speed of grinding and coolants on mercury vaporization during amalgam removal. Forty amalgam filled stone dies were stored at $37^{\circ}C$ and 100% relative humidity for 7 days prior to the beginning of the mercury vapor experiment and were divided into 4 different groups; In Group I; Used by high speed without coolant & evacuator during amalgam removal. In Group II; Used by high speed with coolant & evacuator during amalgam removal. In Group III; Used by low speed without coolant & evacuator during amalgam removal. In Group IV; Used by low speed with coolant & evacuator during amalgam removal. The amalgam specimens were removed in a 30-second time period and mercury vapor was collected with membrane filter at 27mm from the site of removal and 45 degree above there. Samples in Group II, IV were removed with coolant spray at a flow rate of 30 ml/min with high-velocity evacuator. Mercury vapor collected membrane filter was analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer using cold vapor method. The results were as follows; 1. The mercury vapor levels were obtained all of the Groups. 2. The mercury vapor levels of the Group II, IV (with coolant & evacuator) were less than that of the Group I, III (without coolant & evacuator). 3. The highest mercury vapor level recorded during amalgam removal procedure was Group I (used by high speed without coolant & evacuator) and its record was $0.78{\pm}0.09\;mg/m^3$, which exceed the T.L.V. by 15 times. 4. The mercury vapor level of the Group IV (used by low speed with coolant & evacuator) was more than that of the Group II (used by high speed with coolant & evacuator), but its difference was not significant, statistically. (p > 0.05)

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 1992

The inhibitory effects of mercury ions on the growth of barley seedlings were studied and the distribution of metal elements in the organs of treated plants was investigated by using synchrotron radiation induced X-ray emission (SRIXE). Although the treatment of mercury ions caused growth inhibition, the mercury-specific increase in variable fluorescence and the abolishment of energy-dependent quenching in broken barley chloroplasts as shown by Moon et at. (1992) were not observed in the leaves of growth-inhibited seedlings. Instead the treatment of mercury decreased Fmax and Fo values. However, Fmax/Fo ratio and photochemical and nonphotochemical quenching coefficients were not affected significantly. By SRIXE analysis of $10\mu\textrm{m}$ mercury chloride treated seedlings, accumulation of mercury in roots was observed after 1 hour of treatment and similar concentration was sustained for 48 hours. Relative contents of mercury was high in roots and underground nodes where seeds were attachedl but was very low in leaves. Iron and zinc were also distributed mainly in the lower parts of the seedlings. However after 72 hours of treatment the contents of these metals in roots decreased and their distribution became more uniform, which may lead to death of the plants. These results suggest that the observed inhibitory effects on barley seedlings upto 48 hours after the treatment is not due to direct damages in the photosynthetic apparatus, but due to its accumulation in roots and the consequent retardation of the growth of barley seedlings. The decrease in Fmax and Fo is probably due to the decrease in chlorophyll and protein contents caused by the retardation of growth. The observed slow expansion of primary leaves could be also explained by the retardation of growth, but the fluorescence induction pattern from the leaves did not show characteristic symptoms of leaves under water stress.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.549-552
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• 2004

A sensitive, selective and rapid method has been developed for the determination of mercury based on the rapid reaction of mercury(II) with p-sulfobenzylidenethiorhodanine (SBDTR) and the solid phase extraction of the colored chelate with $C_{18}$ disks. In the presence of pH 3.5 sodium acetate-acetic acid buffer solution and Emulsifier-OP medium, SBDTR reacts with mercury(II) to form a red chelate of a molar ratio 1 : 2 (mercury to SBDTR). This chelate was prconcentrated by solid phase extraction with $C_{18}$ disks. An enrichment factor of 50 was achieved. The molar absorptivity of the chelate is $1.28{\times}10^5 L{\cdot}mol^{-1}{\cdot}cm^{-1}$ at 545 nm in measured solution. Beer's law is obeyed in the range of 0.01-3 ${\mu}$g/mL. The relative standard deviation for eleven replicates sample of 0.01 ${\mu}$g/mL is 1.65%. This method was applied to the determination of mercury in tobacco and tobacco additive with good results.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.348-359
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between frequency of alcohol drinking and blood mercury concentration in Korea. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Among them, 3,174 persons were selected for the final study. Results: The concentration of mercury in the blood increased as the frequency of drinking soju or beer increased. Similarly, in the multiple-linear regression analysis model, the frequency of soju drinking was identified as an independent variable showing a statistically significant positive linearity (p<0.001). After controlling for confounding factors, comparing those drinking 'more than twice a week' with those who almost do not drink alcohol, the adjusted ORs for exposure to high concentrations of mercury were 3.24 (95% CI, 2.10-4.99) for drinking soju and 2.07 (95% CI, 1.33-3.22) for drinking beer. The interaction effect between 'soju drinking' and 'spicy pollack and seafood stew' was not statistically significant (p=0.098) for evaluating the interaction effect between the two variables. Conclusions: The concentration of mercury in the blood increased as the frequency of drinking of soju or beer increased. The higher the frequency of alcohol drinking, the more likely is the blood mercury to be included in the high-concentration group. The results of this study can be used as important scientific evidence for the field of environmental health related to alcohol drinking and blood heavy metal exposure in Korea.