• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.188-197
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• 2008

This research was a preliminary case study to determine the levels of total mercury in the tissues of sentinel species (Zacco platypus) and ecological health in relation to habitat characteristics and chemical conditions. We collected fishes in Gap Stream during June$\sim$October 2007 and analyzed the total mercury from five types of tissues such as liver, kidney, gill, vertebrae and muscle of Zaceo platypus using Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80, US EPA Method 7473). Mean concentrations of total [Hg], based on all tissues, was 67.2 and $20.7\;{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$, in the upstream and downstream site, respectively, indicating 3 times greater level in the upstream. In other words, the levels were higher in the pristine upstream than the downstream influenced by the wastewater disposal plant. Chemical water quality, based on BOD, COD and nutrients (TN, TP) showed that severe degradation occurred in the downstreams than the upstreams. Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) using fish multi-metric model averaged 32, indicating a "good$\sim$fair" condition and varied from 42 (excellent$\sim$good) at S2 to 22 (fair$\sim$poor) at S5 depending on the sites sampled. Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) in the all sites averaged 142, which was judged as "good" habitat health, but showed a high variation (181 in Site 2 vs. 67 in Site 5). Overall data suggest that health conditions, based on IBI and QHEI, was better in the upstream sites but the mercury bioaccumulation levels in the fish tissues were opposite. We believe that measurements of various parameters are required for a diagnosis of integrative ecosystem health.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.450-464
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• 2016

Objectives: This study developed and validated reference materials (RMs) to analyze metal compounds in blood. Methods: We referred to KoNEHS (Korea National Environmental Health Survey) to estimate concentrations of blood metals (cadmium, Cd; lead, Pb; mercury, Hg) and applied analytical methods (inductively coupled plasma - mass spectroscopy, ICP-MS, for Cd and Pb; graphite furnace - atomic absorption spectrometry, GF-AAS, for Cd and Pb; and direct mercury analyzer, DMA, for Hg). Homogeneity and stability tests were carried out. In addition, certified values and uncertainties of RMs were calculated through internal and external experiments. All RMs were developed and assessed in various forms according to element, analytical method, and two types of concentration levels high concentration for occupational exposure and low concentration for environmental exposure. Results: All samples showed acceptable homogeneity, except for low concentration of Cd in the GF-AAS method. Short- and long-term stabilities were satisfied by ANOVA testing. In the inter-laboratory comparison, robust medians were lower than the certified values of all RMs (robust median/reference value; $1.301/1.327{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, ICP-MS, low concentration; $3.152/3.388{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, ICP-MS, high concentration; $1.219/1.301{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, GF-AAS, low concentration; $3.074/3.321{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, GF-AAS, high concentration; $14.473/14.516{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, ICP-MS, low concentration; $50.069/50.114{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, ICP-MS, high concentration; $12.881/14.147{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, GF-AAS, low concentration; $47.015/47.591{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, GF-AAS, high concentration; $4.059/4.218{\mu}g/L$ for Hg, DMA, low concentration; $11.474/11.181{\mu}g/L$ for Hg, DMA, high concentration). Conclusion: This study demonstrates procedures for developing and validating RMs for biomonitoring in the field of the environmental health.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.348-357
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to examine the relationship between heavy metal concentrations in the soil and the level of heavy metals in the blood or urine of 216 local residents living near abandoned metal mines. Methods: Residents around abandoned metal mines were interviewed about their dietary habits, including seafood consumption, medical history, cigarette smoking, and drug history. Metal concentrations in the soil were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AA-7000, Shimadzu, Japan). Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contents in the blood or urine were analyzed by GF-AAS (AA-6800, Shimadzu). Mercury (Hg) contents in the blood were determined by means of a mercury analyzer (SP-3DS, NIC). Arsenic (As) content in the soil and urine were measured by a HG-AAS (hydride vapor generation-atomic absorption spectrophotometer). Results: The heavy metal concentrations in the soil showed a log normal distribution and the geometric means of the four villages were 8.61 mg/kg for Pb, 0.19 mg/kg for Cd, 1.81 mg/kg for As and 0.035 mg/kg for Hg. The heavy metal levels of the 216 local residents showed a regular distribution for Pb, Cd, Hg in the blood and As in the urine. The arithmetic means were 3.37 ${\mu}g$/dl for Pb, 3.07 ${\mu}g$/l for Cd and 2.32 ${\mu}g$/l for Hg, 10.41 ${\mu}g$/l for As, respectively. Conclusions: As a result of multi-variate analysis for the affecting factors on the bodily heavy metal concentrations, gender and concentration in the soil (each, p<0.01) for blood lead levels; gender and smoking status (each, p<0.01) for blood cadmium levels; gender (p<0.01) for urine arsenic levels; gender, age and concentration in the soil (p<0.01) for blood mercury levels were shown to be the affecting factors.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was performed to provide basic data for the re-establishment of standards (criteria) and analytical methods for hazardous metals in nail enamel. Methods: Ten metals (lead; Pb, arsenic; As, cadminum; Cd, antimony: Sb, cobalt; Co, nikel; Ni, copper; Cu, chromium; Cr, aluminum; Al, and mercury; Hg) were measured in 67 commercial nail enamels containing glitter and/or pearls. The content of hazardous metals (excepting Hg) was determined by using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometer (ICP-OES) after microwave digestion. Mercury content was measured by a mercury analyzer without any preparation. Results: The detected ranges of the intact samples were as follows: $ND-1.756{\mu}g/g$ for Pb, $ND-1.24{\mu}g/g$ for As, ND for Cd, $ND-20.41{\mu}g/g$ for Sb, $ND-12.36{\mu}g/g$ for Co, $ND-7.908{\mu}g/g$ for Ni, $0.088-79.27{\mu}g/g$ for Cu, $0.281-18.54{\mu}g/g$ for Cr, $13.78-3563{\mu}g/g$ for Al, and $ND-0.044{\mu}g/g$ for Hg. After centrifugation, the detected ranges of supernatant were as follows: $ND-0.435{\mu}g/g$ for Pb, $ND-0.504{\mu}g/g$ for As, ND for Cd, $ND-0.035{\mu}g/g$ for Sb, $ND-13.17{\mu}g/g$ for Co, $ND-0.232{\mu}g/g$ for Ni, $0.117-90.07{\mu}g/g$ for Cu, $0.174-2.787{\mu}g/g$ for Cr, and $9.459-1565{\mu}g/g$ for Al. The results of this analysis showed that the levels of heavy metals such as Pb, As, and Sb were much higher in the intact samples than those of supernatant. Conclusion: In the present study, we found that the levels of hazardous metals were significantly different depending on the status of the presence of glitter. Based on the results, we recommend that the product consumer refrain from prolonged application of nail enamel, avoid biting or chewing the nails, and wear gloves during cooking and washing dishes.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.155-165
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ecosystem of Yeongsan Lake using physical, chemical, and biological indicators. We evaluated the integrative ecosystem health using Lentie Ecosystem Health Assessment (LEHA) model, Qualitative Health Evaluation Index (QHEI) model, and chemical water quality. The models of LEHA and QHEI were modified as 10 and 7 metries attributes, respectively. Also, we analyzed bioaccumulation of total mercury on various fish tissues by method of U.S. EPA 7473 using Direct Mercury Analyzer (Model DMA-80). Model values of LEHA model averaged 19 (range: $14{\sim}26$, n=15), which indicated a "poor" condition, and had slightly spatial variations. Values of the QHEI in the all sites averaged 72, which were judged as a "fair" to "good" condition. The QHEI values varied from 48 (fair condition) to 99 (good condition) and showed large longitudinal gradients between the upper and lower reach. Conductivity and salinity were increased from the up-lake to downlake reach. Analysis of total mercury in fish tissues showed that levels of total Hg ranged between 0.002 and $0.087\;mg\;L^{-1}$ depending on the types of tissues. Overall, the ecosystem health in the Yeongsan Lake was judged as a "poor" and the effects of bioaccumulation on the fish tissues were minor. Therefore, it is necessary to keep an efficient management for the lake environment to maintain their ecological health.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.354-364
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• 2020

For this paper we analyzed heavy metals including lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury, and conducted risk assessment on 171 types of herbal medicines used as foods and drugs distributed in Seoul's Yangnyeongsi and Kyungdong (Gyeongdong) herbal medicine markets. The concentrations of the heavy metals were measured by the ICP-MS and a mercury analyzer. The detection ranges of the lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury were found to be ND-4.719 mg/kg, ND-1.019 mg/kg, 0.002-8.696 mg/kg and ND-0.058 mg/kg, respectively. Artemisiae Capillaris Herba exceeded the standards of the MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) for cadmium items, and Actinidiae Ramulus et Fulium et Fructus Vermicultus exceeded the standards for arsenic items. The non-carcinogenic risk assessment showed that there were no items exceeding 1 and that they were safe. The risk of carcinogenicity to lead was below 10^-6 in all items and was evaluated as safe. The risk of carcinogenicity of arsenic was almost all in the range of 10^-4 to 10^-6. All %PTWI are considered to be safe below 100.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.456-460
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• 2012

This study was carried out as a survey on the level of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) in 5 items of agricultural products (lettuce, pumpkin, head lettuce, cabbage and crown daisy) for which safety guidelines are not yet established in Korea. The 407 samples were collected from local markets in 9 regional places and the levels of metals were measured by ICP-MS and mercury analyzer. The average levels of Pb, Cd, As and Hg were 0.026, 0.018, 0.008 and 0.003 mg/kg for lettuce, 0.002, 0.001, 0.001 and 0.0006 mg/kg for pumpkin, 0.002, 0.005, 0.001 and 0.0005 mg/kg for head lettuce, 0.001, 0.002, 0.0002 and 0.0006 mg/kg for cabbage and 0.022, 0.014, 0.006 and 0.004 mg/kg for crown daisy. For risk assessment, the daily dietary exposures of Pb, Cd and Hg by intake of these agricultural products were calculated and compared with PTWI (provisional tolerable weekly intake) established by JECFA. The daily dietary exposure of heavy metals by intake of these agricultural products were 0.13, 0.56 and 0.09% of PTWI, respectively. These monitoring results will be utilized as fundamental data for the establishment of Korean standards of Pb, Cd, As and Hg in 5 items of agricultural products and valuable source for DB construction for science-based safety control of heavy metals in foods including agricultural products.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.342-351
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• 2006

This study was carried out to estimate the contents of heavy metals in big marine 17 kinds of fishes (n=89) which had been sold at wholesale market in Seoul from January to December in 2005. The contents of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chrome (Cr), copper (Cu) and arsenic (As) were measured by the mercury analyzer and atomic spectrophotometer (AAS) in the flesh, liver, and gill part. The values of heavy metals in fishes were as follows ($Mean{\pm}SD$, mg/kg). The average contents of heavy metals in the fishes were Hg $0.08{\pm}0.01mg/kg$, Pb $0.17{\pm}0.32mg/kg$, Cd $0.34{\pm}0.07mg/kg$, Cr $0.05{\pm}0.05mg/kg$, Cu $1.14{\pm}0.13mg/kg$, As $0.24{\pm}0.22mg/kg$. Of the heavy metals detected in 3 parts, liver was measured highly in the all heavy metals. Of the heavy metals detected in countries, Hg, Pb, and Cu were measured highly in New Zealand, Cd and As in Norway, Cr in Korea. The range of heavy metal contents in imported and domestic fishes are low level, except of mercury contents of imported Yellow porgy (n=2), compared with regulation value of anther nations and Korea. And the contents of heavy metal in the imported fishes are natural. By correlation coefficients between fish livers of all subjects, a significant correlation was found Hg (r=0.989, p<0.01), Pb (r=0.978, p<0.01), Cd (r=0.991, p<0.01), Cu (r=0.998, p<0.01), As (r=0.198, p<0.05) in fish livers and flesh.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.136-140
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• 2010

The integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) is one of the most promising proposed processes for advanced electric power generation that is likely to replace conventional coal combustion. This emerging technology will not only improve considerably the thermal efficiency but also reduce or eliminate the environmentally adverse effects normally associated with coal combustion. The IGCC process gasifies coal under reducing conditions with essentially all the sulfur existing in the form of hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$) in the product fuel gas. The need to remove $H_2S$ from coal derived fuel gases is a significant concern which stems from stringent government regulations and also, from a technical point of view and a need to protect turbines from corrosion. The waste seashells were used for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from a hot gas stream. The sulphidation of waste seashells with $H_2S$ was studied in a thermogravimetric analyzer at temperature between $600^{\circ}C$ and $800^{\circ}C$. The desulfurization performance of the waste seashell sorbents was experimentally tested in a fixed bed reactor system. Sulfidation experiments performed under reaction conditions similar to those at the exit of a coal gasifier showed that preparation procedure and technique, the type and the amount of seashell, and the size of the seashell affects the $H_2S$ removal capacity of the sorbents. The pore structure of fresh and sulfided seashell sorbents was analyzed using mercury porosimetry, nitrogen adsorption, and scanning electronmicroscopy.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.132-140
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• 2010

1. Objective: To compare the contents and transfer rate of hazardous substances in crude, washing solution, crude after washing, decoction and remnant after boiling. 2. Methods: The heavy metal contents of each step were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and mercury analyzer (MA-2). In order to analyze pesticides in each sample we used simultaneous multi-residue analysis of pesticides by GC/ECD, which was followed by GC/MSD analysis to confirm the identity of the detected pesticide in each sample. In addition, the contents of sulfur dioxide (SO2) were performed by Monier-Williams distillation method. 3. Results: 1) Contents (mg/kg) of heavy metals in decoction of all herbal medicine prescriptions were not detected. 2) Transfer rates (%) of heavy metals from crude to remnant were As (83.3%), Cd (100.0%), Pb (182.6%) and Hg (100.0%). 3) Contents (mg/kg) of residual pesticides were not detected. 4) Transfer rate (%) of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from crude to remnant was 44.2%. 4. Conclusion: Our results showed that boiled herbal medicine prescriptions which we take is safe from the hazardous substances.