• 한국환경보건학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국환경보건학회 2005년도 Proceedings of KSEH.Minamata Forum
• /
• pp.4-15
• /
• 2005

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental pollutant with neurotoxic effects on the central nervous system. The major exposure route of MeHg to humans is via consumption of fish and shellfish which accumulate the chemical through the food web in an aquatic environment. Hair mercury level is an excellent marker for MeHg exposure. We have been conducting a survey on hair mercury contents among general populations from 14 districts to estimate the current Japanese MeHg exposure level. Total mercury levels of all hair samples collected (12923 in total) were analyzed by the oxygen combustion-gold amalgamation method using an atomic absorption mercury detector. Multiple regression analysis revealed that mercury levels were significantly correlated with several covariates, such as sex, age, the amount of daily intake of total fish/shellfish, a preference for certain fish such as tuna or bonito, and artificial waving. The geometric means for the population without artificial waving were 2.47 and 1.65 ${\mu}g/g$ for males (n = 5623) and females (n = 3470), respectively. Hair mercury levels varied with age, and the variations were more significant in males. Since the difference between sexes was not evident at younger ages, some hormonal control might also be involved in the mercury uptake by human hair. The average mercury levels in our hair samples varied among the sampling districts. Tuna is a major carnivorous fish with high mercury accumulations that is often consumed in Japan. The amount of fish consumption and the preference rate far tuna would appear to be responsible far the regional variation in hair mercury levels in Japan. Recently, a provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of MeHg was revised by 61st JECFA to 1.6 ${\mu}g/kg/week$, which was about half that of the Japanese standard, and corresponded to a hair level of 2.2 ppm. The distribution of hair mercury levels in Japanese populations in the present study indicated that 25% of the Japanese females of child-bearing age were estimated to be exposed to MeHg over the PTWI level. This would reflect the high Japanese consumption of marine products. However, not only mercury contamination, but also the nutritional benefit may have to be considered when discussing the risk involved in the current level of fish and shellfish consumption in Japan.

• 한국환경독성학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국환경독성학회 2004년도 춘계학술대회
• /
• pp.74-74
• /
• 2004

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
• /
• 제4권2호
• /
• pp.164-169
• /
• 2008

Methylmercury (MeHg) is known to have devastating effects on the mammalian nervous system. In order to characterize the mechanism of MeHg-induced neurotoxicity, we investigated the analysis of transcriptional profiles on human 8k cDNA microarray by treatment of $1.4{\mu}M$ MeHg at 3, 12, 24 and 48h in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line. Some of the identified genes by MeHg treatment were significant at early time points (3h), while that of others was at late time points (48h). The early response genes that may represent those involved directly in the MeHg response included pantothenate kinase 3, a kinase (PRKA) anchor protein (yotiao) 9, neurotrophic tyrosine kinase, receptor, type 2 gene, associated with NMDA receptor activity regulation or perturbations of central nervous system homeostasis. Also, when SH-SY5Y cells were subjected to a longer exposure (48h), a relative increase was noted in a gene, glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 1, reported that overexpression of this gene may lead to the increased resistance to MeHg. To confirm the alteration of these genes in cultured neurons, we then applied real time-RT PCR with SYBR green. Thus, this result suggests that a neurotoxic effect of the MeHg might be ascribed that MeHg alters neuronal receptor regulation or homeostasis of neuronal cells in the early phase. However, in the late phase, it protects cells from neurotoxic effects of MeHg.

• 한국식품과학회지
• /
• 제45권3호
• /
• pp.376-381
• /
• 2013

서울시에서 유통 중인 다랑어류, 새치류 및 심해성 어류의 총 수은 및 메틸수은 축적량의 현황 파악과 사후 관리의 자료로써 모니터링을 실시하였다. 소비 패턴에 따라서 시장의 진입이 이루어지는 관계로 다양한 어종의 채취보다는 비교적으로 많이 판매, 소비되는 품목 즉 상어류, 다랑어류, 새치류, 비막치어 136건을 대상으로 총수은 및 메틸수은의 축적량을 조사하였다. 총수은 분석에 사용된 DMA-80에 대하여 CRM 인증값의 98.8% 회수, 검량선 결정계수($R^2$) 0.9998 이상, 0.003, $0.01{\mu}g/kg$의 검출한계와 정량한계를 파악함으로써 기기적 정확성 및 재현성을 확보하였다. GC-${\mu}ECD$를 사용한 메틸수은 분석법은 79.7%-103.1%의 양호한 회수율과 0.9997 이상의 높은 검량선 결정계수($R^2$)를 확보하였으며, 검출한계는 0.006 mg/kg, 정량한계는 0.018 mg/kg의 결과를 보였다. 네 종류의 어종은 통계적 분석에 의해 총수은 및 메틸수은 축적량에 차이가 있는 것이 확인되었으며, 각 어종의 총수은 및 메틸수은 평균량(mg/kg)은 상어류 $1.20{\pm}0.70$, $0.95{\pm}0.51$, 새치류 $0.99{\pm}0.72$, $0.51{\pm}0.40$, 다랑어류 $0.32{\pm}0.31$, $0.20{\pm}0.20$, 비막치어(메로) $0.43{\pm}0.48$, $0.20{\pm}0.17$로 분석되었으며, 과거에 비해 상어류와 새치류에서의 축적량이 많이 증가된 것을 알 수 있었다. 분석된 메틸수은 수치들과 JECFA의 PTWI값과의 비교 검토값은 상어류 0.00-0.24%, 새치류 0.075-1.813%, 다랑어류 0.025-1.338%로서, 일일섭취량이 설정되어있지 않은 비막치어를 뺀 나머지 세 종류 어종의 합계는 0.1-5.551%였다. 이 결과만을 평가해 본다면, 다랑어류, 새치류, 심해성 어류의 섭취로 인한 메틸수은에 대한 노출량은 아직 안전한 수준이라고 할 수 있다. 하지만 본 연구에서 확인한 바와 같이, 시간이 경과함에 따라 축적량이 증가하고 있는 현상을 감안하고, 또한 여러 경로로 메틸수은에 노출되는 점을 종합적으로 분석한다면 좀 더 정확한 노출과 안전성 평가가 이루어질 것이라 생각한다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
• /
• 제33권3호
• /
• pp.180-183
• /
• 2007

Over the last century the mercury (Hg) concentration in the environment has been increased by human activities with inputs from sources such as atmospheric deposition, urban runoff, and industrial effluents. Mercury can be transformed to methylmercury (MeHg) in anaerobic conditions by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) and sediments are the principal location for MeHg production in aquatic environments. Interest in bioaccumulation of Hg and MeHg into lower trophic levels of benthic and pelagic organisms stems from public health concerns as these organisms provide essential links for higher trophic levels of food chains such as fish and larger invertebrates. Fish consumption is the major exposure route of MeHg to humans. Recently, it was reported that blood samples in Korea showed much higher Hg levels (5-8 times) than those in USA and Germany. Although this brings much attention to Hg research in Korea, there are very few studies on Hg biogeochemical cycling and bioaccumulation in aquatic environments. Given the importance of Hg methylation and MeHg transfer through food chains in aquatic environments, it is imperative that studies should be done in much detail looking at the fate, transport, and bioaccumulation of Hg and MeHg in the environment. Moreover, there should be long-term monitoring plans in Korea to evaluate the environmental and health effects of Hg and MeHg.

• 한국환경보건학회지
• /
• 제31권3호
• /
• pp.179-186
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this paper was to concisely review the practical changes in MeHg concentrations in fetus and offspring throughout gestation and suckling from our recent animal and human studies. In the animal study, adult female rats were given a diet containing 5ug/g Hg (as MeHg) for 8 weeks. Then they were mated and subsequently given the same diet throughout gestation and suckling. On embryonic days 18, 20, 22 and at parturition, the concentrations of Hg in the brains of fetus were approximately 1.5-2.0 times higher than those in the mothers. However, during the suckling period Hg concentrations in the brain rapidly declined to about 1/10 of that during late pregnancy. Hg concentrations in blood also decreased rapidly after birth. In human study, Hg concentrations in red blood cells (RBC-Hg) in 16 pairs of maternal and umbilical cord blood samples were compared at birth and 3 months of age after parturition. RBC-Hg in the umbilical cords was about 1.6 times higher than those in the mothers at parturition. However, all the infants showed declines in Hg concentrations throughout the breast-feeding period. RBC-Hg at 3 months of age was about half that at birth. Both the animal and human studies indicated that MeHg exposure to the fetus might be especially high but it dramatically decreases during the suckling period. Therefore, close attention should be paid to the gestation rather than the breast-feeding period to avoid the risk of MeHg to human infants.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• 제28권2호
• /
• pp.105-115
• /
• 2011

Mercury is a toxic, persistent pollutant that bioaccumulates and biomagnifies through food webs. People are exposed to methyhnercruy mainly through their diet, especially through the consumption of freshwater and marine fish and of other animals that consume fish (e.g., marine mammals). All humans are exposed to low levels of mercury. Dietary patterns can increase exposure to a fish-eating population where the fish and seafood are contaminated with mercury. The primary toxicity targets of mercury and mercury compounds are the nervous system, kidneys, and cardiovascular system. It is generally accepted that developing organ systems are most sensitive to the toxic effects of mercury. The fetal-brain mercury levels appear to be significantly higher than the maternal-blood mercury levels, and the developing central nervous system of the fetus is currently regarded as the main system of concern as it demonstrates the greatest sensitivity. The subpopulation that may be at greater risk for mercury toxicity are those exposed to higher levels of methylmercury due to carnivorous fish, including sharks.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제47권2호
• /
• pp.74-83
• /
• 2014

Mercury exists naturally and as a man-made contaminant. The release of processed mercury can lead to a progressive increase in the amount of atmospheric mercury, which enters the atmospheric-soil-water distribution cycles where it can remain in circulation for years. Mercury poisoning is the result of exposure to mercury or mercury compounds resulting in various toxic effects depend on its chemical form and route of exposure. The major route of human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) is largely through eating contaminated fish, seafood, and wildlife which have been exposed to mercury through ingestion of contaminated lower organisms. MeHg toxicity is associated with nervous system damage in adults and impaired neurological development in infants and children. Ingested mercury may undergo bioaccumulation leading to progressive increases in body burdens. This review addresses the systemic pathophysiology of individual organ systems associated with mercury poisoning. Mercury has profound cellular, cardiovascular, hematological, pulmonary, renal, immunological, neurological, endocrine, reproductive, and embryonic toxicological effects.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
• /
• 제23권3호
• /
• pp.276-283
• /
• 2008

국내 외 선행연구결과에 의한 어린이 출생 전 후 건강에 영향을 미칠 수 있는 주요 유해물질은 inorganic arsenic, BPA, 2,4-D, dichlorvos, methylmercury, PCBs, pesticide, phthalate, PFOA/PFOS, vinyl chloride 등으로서 국내에서도 이들을 포함한 확인 연구가 수행되어져야 할 것이다. 또한 어린이들의 행동발달과 연관된 생활환경에서의 다양한 인체노출이 확인됨에 따라 탁아소, 유치원과 같은 경우 어린이 활동공간을 대상으로 환경모니터링 및 위해관리활동도 병행되어야 할 것이다. 또한 어린이 건강에 영향을 미치는 유해물질을 중심으로 독성평가, 인체영향연구, 환경 및 인체모니터링과 위해평가를 수행하므로 유해물질의 원인-상관관계를 확인하고 사실자료에 근거한 관리정책을 반영하는 것이 바람직하다.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제4권1호
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2013

This review surveys the recent literature on the neurodevelopmental impacts of chemical exposures during pregnancy. The review focuses primarily on chemicals of recent concern, including phthalates, bisphenol-A, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and perfluorinated compounds, but also addresses chemicals with longer histories of investigation, including air pollutants, lead, methylmercury, manganese, arsenic, and organophosphate pesticides. For some chemicals of more recent concern, the available literature does not yet afford strong conclusions about neurodevelopment toxicity. In such cases, points of disagreement among studies are identified and suggestions provided for approaches to resolution of the inconsistencies, including greater standardization of methods for expressing exposure and assessing outcomes.