• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.106-113
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• 2012

The present study was conducted to assess the dietary exposure to mercury and the associated risks for Koreans resulting from their food intake. The probabilistic approach in the Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate dietary exposures. Based on several reports regarding heavy metals published by KFDA in the 2000s, 178 types of representative foods were selected and data were collected on the occurrence of mercury. The contents of mercury in foods ranged: agricultural products 0.1 (fruits)-45.4 ${\mu}g/kg$ (mushrooms), 3.7 ${\mu}g/kg$ (meat), and 9.3 (Echinodermata, chordata)-194.9 ${\mu}g/kg$ (fish). Others categories investigated were alcoholic beverages (0.7 ${\mu}g/kg$) and processed food (4.4 ${\mu}g/kg$). The mean and 95th percentile for exposure to dietary mercury were 4.29 and 12.48 ${\mu}g/day$, corresponding to 13.6% and 39.7% of PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake), respectively. Therefore, overall level of mercury exposure for Koreans through food intake is below levels recommended by JECFA, indicating the least possibility of risk, and is less than or similar to levels reported in other countries.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to determine total mercury and methyl mercury level in fishes (Deep-sea Fish, Tuna, Billfish) and fishery products. A total of 101 fishes and 44 fishery products samples collected from commercial market in Gyeonggi-do. Total mercury were analysed by mercury analyzer and methyl mercury were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detector. In the fishes, total mercury was detected in all samples and methylmercury was detected in 92 samples of them. The detection rate of methylmercury was 91.1% in fishes. The mean concentration (mg/kg) of total mercury and methylmercury were $1.968{\pm}0.505/0.496{\pm}0.057$ for Billfish, $0.665{\pm}0.091/0.252{\pm}0.033$ for Deep-sea Fish and $0.577{\pm}0.085/0.218{\pm}0.025$ for Tuna, respectively. The Swordfish contains the highest level of total mercury (1.968 mg/kg) and methylmercury (0.496 mg/kg). In Mabled rockfish, the ratio of methylmercury's contents about total mercury's contents was the highest as 66.5%. In case of fishery products, frozens made of 100% of raw material contained the highest level of total mercury and methyl mercury. The weekly intake of total mercury and methylmercury was calculated in 4.72% and 5.24% of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) respectively. This study showed that the weekly intake of methylmercury from Deep-sea Fish, Tuna and Billfish was less than the PTWI recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO expert committee on food additives.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.447-453
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• 2019

In this study, the contamination of 4 types of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury) was monitored in 80 seaweeds and their processed products, and a food safety assessment was also carried out for these heavy metals. Lead, cadmium and arsenic were analyzed by ICP-OES and mercury was analyzed by mercury analyzer. The detection ranges of heavy metals were found as follows: Pb (N.D-0.802 mg/kg), Cd (N.D-0.759 mg/kg), As (0.134-17.296 mg/kg), and Hg (0.0005-0.0331 mg/kg). Pb and Hg showed no significant differences among seaweeds whereas Cd and As were significantly higher in the species hizikia fusiforme (P<0.05). Food safety assessment from seaweed intake was measured by PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake), PTMI (Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake), and MADL (Maximum Allowable Daily Body Load) as set by JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives). Pb and Hg were 0.197%, 0.036% of PTWI respectively, while Cd was 1.877% of PTMI and As was 0.619% of MADL. Therefore, it was found that heavy metal levels of seaweed were low and was considered to be safe for consumption.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.324-332
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• 2001

Foods constitute a large portion of heavy metal exposure toward general population and attract a deep concern with respect to assuring human health. This study summarized published data in Korea on the content, and dietary intake of heavy metals and assessed their risk potential in comparison with foreign data. An analysis for the yearly fluctuation of metal contents including arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead by flood group (marine fishes, coastal shellfishes, freshwater fishes, cereal grains) exhibited a decreasing trend from the 1970s to the 1990s. When compared with domestic standards of heavy metals, their mean contents were below the limit and their maximum values seldom exceeded the limit. The data on the dietary intake of heavy metals by Koreans showed a decreasing trend from the 1980s to the 1990s. The average intakes offs and Hg were 6∼8% and those of Cd and Pb were 50∼80% of PTWI(provisional tolerable weekly intake), all of which were below the tolerance. As the extreme intakes of these metals may exceed the PTWI, a careful assessment for them may be necessary. Dietary intakes of Cd, Hg and Pb by Koreans lie in the mid-level among countries cited in the GEMS/Food monitoring data. As fishery foods are suspecious of contamination with Hg, Cd and As, and floods in general are with Pb, it is necessary to establish legal limits for these metals and monitor any progress of their contamination. Furthermore, overall assessment of exposure to heavy metals from all sources including floods, air, drinking water and occupation should be made in order to confirm the dietary risk factors and to assure the safety of food resources.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.329-333
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• 2005

Contents of heavy metals, mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), In ginsengs and ginsengs products their safety were evaluated using a mercury analyzer, atomic absorption spectrophotometer and Inductively coupled plasma spectrometer. Contents of heavy metals in ginsengs were [min-max(mean), mg/kg]; Hg 0.002-0.02(0.007), Pb 0.018-0.39(0.106), Cd 0.004-0.413(0.106), As ND-0.094(0.013), Cu 0.24-5.5(3.2), Mn 3.18-50.4(20.09), Zn 0.76-44.27(13.42). Ginseng products values were; Hg 0.0001-0.002(0.001), Pb 0.001-0.133(0.017), Cd ND-0.07(0.004) As ND-0.181(0.008), Cu ND-1.1(0.13), Mn 0.73-30.15(1.61). Zn 0.02-13.42(1.02), similar to those reported by other countries. Average weekly Intakes of Hg, Pb and Cd from ginseng and ginseng products were 0,003, 0.01 and 0,02% of provisional tolerable weekly intake established by FAO/WHO, respectively. Our result could be utilized as important references to establish the standard of lead in ginseng and ginseng products.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.812-817
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• 2003

This study was conducted to estimate the contents of heavy metals in tea products (n=200) and to provide a scientific basis for standardization of heavy metals in the Korea Food Code. The contents of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and aluminium (Al) were determined using a mercury analyzer, an AAS (atomic absorption spectrophotometer), and ICP (inductively coupled plasma spectrometer). The values of heavy metals in tea products were [minimum-maximum (mean), mg/kg] Hg: $N.D.{\sim}0.02$ (0.003), Pb: $N.D.{\sim}0.35$ (0.03), Cd: $N.D.{\sim}0.07$ (0.007), As: $N.D.{\sim}0.19$ (0.006), Cu: $N.D.{\sim}24.41$ (2.73), Mn: $N.D.{\sim}767.88$ (66.91), Zn: $N.D.{\sim}18.60$ (4.54), Al: $N.D.{\sim}1304.30$ (85.53). These results showed that metal contents in tea products in our markets were similar to those reported in other countries. The average weekly intakes of lead, cadmium, and mercury from tea products were $0.1{\sim}0.2%$ of PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake) that the JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) has set to evaluate their safeties.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.992-997
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• 2002

Contents of heavy metals in sugar products were estimated to provide a scientific basis for standardization of Korea Food Code of heavy metals. The contents of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and copper (Cu) were determined in 285 sugar product samples using a mercury analyzer, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, and inductively coupled plasma spectrometer. The values of heavy metals in sugar products $[minimum{\sim}maximum\;(mean),\;mg/kg]$ were as follows: $Hg,\;N.D.{\sim}0.006 (0.001);$ $Pb,\;N.D.{\sim}0.47 (0.03);$ $Cd,\;N.D.{\sim}0.06(0.005);\;As,\;N.D.{\sim}0.10(0.004);\;Cu,\;N.D.{\sim}1.89(0.15)$. These results show that metal contents of domestic sugar products are similar to those reported in other countries. Weekly average intakes of lead, cadmium, and mercury from sugar products were $0.004{\sim}0.1%$ of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake set by FAO/WHO Joint Food Additives and Contaminants Committee to evaluate the safeties of sugar products.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.12a
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• pp.4-15
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• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.894-901
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• 2010

To measure the heavy metal contents of marine invertebrates, we collected 239 individuals representing 52 species from the eastern (Pohang), western (Gunsan), and southern (Tongyeong) coasts of Korea: 34 species of molluscan shellfish (Gastropoda and Bivalvia), 6 species of Cephalopoda, 8 species of Crustacea, and 4 other species. The mean levels of the heavy metals in the samples taken from the edible portion of each Gastropoda were high in the order of Zn ($21.471\;{\mu}g/g$), Cu ($4.115\;{\mu}g/g$), Mn ($0.868\;{\mu}g/g$), Ni ($0.254\;{\mu}g/g$), Pb ($0.238\;{\mu}g/g$), Cd ($0.154\;{\mu}g/g$), and Cr ($0.110\;{\mu}g/g$). The heavy metals in the Bivalvia were high in the order of Zn ($35.655\;{\mu}g/g$), Mn ($5.500\;{\mu}g/g$), Cu ($3.129\;{\mu}g/g$), Cd ($0.423\;{\mu}g/g$), Ni ($0.402\;{\mu}g/g$), Cr ($0.233\;{\mu}g/g$), and Pb ($0.232\;{\mu}g/g$). The heavy metals in the Cephalopoda were high in the order of Zn ($18.380\;{\mu}g/g$), Cu ($3.594\;{\mu}g/g$), Mn ($0.630\;{\mu}g/g$), Cr ($0.150\;{\mu}g/g$), Pb ($0.068\;{\mu}g/g$), Cd ($0.034\;{\mu}g/g$), and Ni ($0.030\;{\mu}g/g$). The heavy metals in the Crustacea were high in the order of Zn ($25.333\;{\mu}g$/g), Cu ($9.042\;{\mu}g/g$), Mn ($0.659\;{\mu}g/g$), Cr ($0.592\;{\mu}g/g$), Cd ($0.207\;{\mu}g/g$), Pb ($0.126\;{\mu}g/g$), and Ni ($0.094\;{\mu}g/g$). Therefore, the mean levels of the harmful heavy metals (Cd and Pb) in marine invertebrates were high in the order of Bivalvia>Crustacea＝Gastropoda>Cephalopoda. The average daily intakes of the heavy metals from the fisheries products were as follows: Cd ($6.88\;{\mu}g$), Cr ($19.13\;{\mu}g$), Cu ($137.02\;{\mu}g$), Mn ($156.13\;{\mu}g$), Ni ($11.39\;{\mu}g$), Pb ($7.01\;{\mu}g$) and Zn ($1,025.94\;{\mu}g$). The average weekly intakes of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn from the fisheries products were 11.47%, 0.46%, 3.27% and 1.71% respectively, as compared with PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes) established by FAO/WHO Expert Committee for Food Safety Evaluation.