• 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.

• 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.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.313-318
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• 2014

From 2008 to 2013, the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis were collected from a major area of mussel production (Changseon area), which is a designated shellfish-cultivating area for export, located on the southern coast of Korea. The samples were analyzed for mercury (Hg) using a direct Hg analyzer and for other metals, such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The concentrations and bioaccumulation of the heavy metals were determined, and a potential risk assessment was conducted to evaluate their hazards towards human consumption. The concentration and bioaccumulation ratio of Cd were the highest of the three hazardous metals (Cd, Pb, and Hg). The concentrations of hazardous metals in all samples were within the limits set by Korea and other countries. The estimated dietary intake (EDI) was compared to the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) adopted by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EDIs of all heavy metals tested for mussel samples ranged from 0.01 to 4.99% of the PTDI; the highest value was measured for As. The hazard index (HI) can be used to assess the risk of heavy metal consumption associated with contaminated food. The HI for all samples was far less than 1.0, which indicates that the mussels produced in the Changseon area do not represent an appreciable hazard to humans and are fit for consumption.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.137-145
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• 2002

Tributyltin compounds have been increasingly used in the form of plastic stabilizers, catalytic agents, industrial agricultural biocides, antifouling paint, and pesticides. Among these organotin compounds, large amounts of tributyltin(TBT) and triphenyltin(TPT) have been used as antifouling agents because they have a superior ability to prevent marine organism from being encrusted on ship bottoms and in culturing nets. Environmental pollution by these organotin compounds in the aquatic environment were undertaken. The international maritime Organization's established a provisional tolerable daily intake(TDI) of 1.6[micro]g TBTO/kg/ B.W. The Food and Agiculture Organization (of the United Nations)/world Health Organization's (FAO/WHO) proposed a TDI of 0.5ug TPT/kg BW/d. This study is conducted monitoring of TBT on seafoods in Korea and risk assessment for exposure on TBT in seafoods. Total hazard index(using Reference Dose : 0.3 ug TBTO/kg B.W/day) of intake exposure on seafoods is 0.04 as the 50th percentile, 0.08 as the 95th percentile. This value is estimated by Monte-Carlo simulation using Crystal Ball(Decisioneering Co., 2001).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.517-524
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• 2009

We collected 177 fishes representing 53 species of fish from the eastern (Pohang), western (Gunsan), and southern (Tongyeong) coasts of Korea, and measured their heavy metal contents. The mean recoveries of the heavy metals extracted from cod muscle (certified reference material, CRM) were $88.7{\sim}100.6%$. The mean levels of the heavy metals in the samples taken from the edible portion of each fish were high in the order of Zn ($8.981{\pm}4.835{\mu}g/g$), Cu ($0.755{\pm}0.507{\mu}g/g$), and Mn ($0.433{\pm}0.699{\mu}g/g$), which are necessary metals in the human body, and then followed by Cr ($0.206{\pm}0.181{\mu}g/g$), Ni ($0.081{\pm}0.110{\mu}g/g$), Pb ($0.038{\pm}0.046{\mu}g/g$), Cd ($0.017{\pm}0.023{\mu}g/g$). The average daily intakes of the heavy metals by the fishes were as follows: Cd (0.81 ${\mu}g$), Cr (9.98 ${\mu}g$), Cu (36.63 ${\mu}g$), Mn (21.01 ${\mu}g$), Ni (3.93 ${\mu}g$), Pb (1.84 ${\mu}g$) and Zn (435.58 ${\mu}g$). The average weekly intakes of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn by the fishes were 1.35%, 0.12%, 0.86%, and 0.73% respectively, as compared with PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes) established by FAO/WHO Expert Committee for Food Safety Evaluation.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2015

The purpose of our paper was to investigate the migration level of 4,4'-MDA(4,4'-methylenedianiline), 2,4-TDA(2,4-toluenediamine), aniline, acrylonitrile and methylmeth acrylate from plastic cookwares into food simulants and to evaluate the safety of each monomers. The test articles for monomers were PA (polyamide) items for 4,4'-MDA, 2,4-TDA and aniline, PU (polyurethane) items for 4,4'-MDA, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene- styrene) items for acrylonitrile, and acrylic resin items for methylmethacrylate. All the article samples of 321 intended for contact with foods were purchased in domestic market. 4,4'-MDA, 2,4-TDA and aniline were analyzed by LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography -tandem mass spectrometer), acrylonitrile by GC-NPD (gas chromatography-nitrogen phos phorus detector) and methyl methacrylate by GC-FID (gas chromatography-flame ionization detector). The migration level of monomers were within the migration limits of Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). As a result of safety evaluation, our results showed that the estimated daily intake (EDI, mg/kg bw/day)s were $2.39{\times}10^{-9}$ and $1.20{\times}10^{-9}$ for 4,4'-MDA and 2,4-TDA of PA, $4.32{\times}10^{-9}$ for acrylonitrile of ABS and $2.27{\times}10^{-7}$ for methylmethacrylate of acrylic resin. Reference Dose (RfD, mg/kg bw/day) of acrylonitrile and tolerable daily intake (TDI, mg/kg bw/day) of methacrylate were established respectively as 0.001 by EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) and as 1.2 by WHO (World Health Organization). When comparing with RfD and TDI, the EDIs of acrylonitrile and methylmethacrylate accounted for $4.32{\times}10^{-4}%$ and $1.89{\times}10^{-5}%$ respectively.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.424-433
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• 2017

Antioxidants are used in the manufacturing of commercial food packages made of polyolefin plastic such as polyethylene and polypropylene for the purpose to delay the oxidation reaction of the polymer due to oxygen or traces of ozone in the atmosphere. Additives in plastics may be migrated from the packaging materials into foods, thereby presenting a potential health risk to the consumer. Therefore, it is necessary to determine migration level of antioxidants from food packaging materials to foodstuffs in order to take proactive management. In this study, we have developed a method for the analysis of 10 antioxidants, which are butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), Cyanox 2246, 425 and 1790, Irgafos 168, and Irganox 1010, 1330, 3114 and 1076, migrated from the food packaging materials into four food simulants for aqueous, acidic, alcoholic and fatty foods. The antioxidants were determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatograph-ultraviolet detector with 276 nm after solid-phase extraction with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) cartridge or dilution with isopropanol. The analytical method showed a good linearity of coefficient ($R^2{\geq}0.99$), limits of detection (0.11~0.41 mg/L), and limits of quantification (0.34~1.24 mg/L). The recoveries of antioxidants spiked to four food simulants ranged from 71.3% to 109.4%. The migrated antioxidants in this study were within the safety levels that resulted from the safety assessment by the estimated daily intake to the tolerable daily intake.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.223-230
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• 2003

This study was conducted to estimate the contents of 6 trace metals in potatoes and root vegetables purchased in wholesale market in the Seoul region, specifically, Cu. As, Zn, Pb, Cd and Hg. The minimum and maximum results obtained for each metal are summarized as follows for potatoes; Cu : 0.094∼0.344, As : N.D∼0.070, Zn : 0.247∼1.547, Pb : N.D∼0.268, Cd : N.D∼0.005, Hg : 0.001∼0.027, and for root vegetables; Cu : 0.021∼0.510, As : 0.004∼0.045, Zn : 0.143∼3.137, Pb : N.D∼0.372, Cd : N.D∼0.009, Hg : 0.001∼0.195. The daily intakes of trace metals from potatoes and root vegetables were estimated on the basis of the daily intake of these foods by Koreans, which were 0.073∼22.253 and 0.567∼156.219$\mu\textrm{g}$ from potatoes and root vegetables, respectively. The weekly intakes of trace metals were 0.009∼2.596 and 0.066∼18.224$\mu\textrm{g}$ for potatoes and root vegetables, respectively. The weekly intakes of trace metals for potatoes and root vegetables were very much lower than the PTWI(provisional tolerable weekly intake), enough to be within a safe range.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.148-148
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• 2003

This study is to investigate the environmental levels and trend of dioxins, which was the 3$\^$rd/ year of environmental monitoring research for endocrine disrupting chemicals since 1999. Total 282 samples were analyzed from 115 sites including 26 sites of airs, 43 sites of waters, 11 sites of sediments and 35 sites of soil, which were the same as those of investigated sites in 2000. Sampling period was from June 2001 to June 2002. Target chemicals were seventeen species of 2,3,7,8-chlorine-substituted PCDD and PCDF congeners and were analyzed by the standard methods, established by National Institute Environmental Research (NIER). The average concentration of dioxins in air decreased from 0.324 pg-TEQ/N㎥ in 2000 to 0.287 pg-TEQ/N㎥ in 2001, and those in water and soil were 0.073pg-TEQ/L and 1.703pg-TEQ/dry g, respectively, which was the less values detected in 2000. In sediment, however, the value was 0.086pg-TEQ/dry g, which was the increase from the value of the year 2000. The concentration range of dioxins in air for 26 sites in 17 regions detected were 0.013∼l.664pg-TEQ/N㎥, 4 sites from those were exceeded the Air Quality Standards of Dioxin in Japan (0.6 pg-TEQ/N㎥). The tolerable daily intake of dioxins was calculated at the highest level (1.664) in air, with referring the soil and food data from Japan, was calculated to be 2.85pg-TEQ/kg/day, which was below the level of 4 pg-TEQ/kg/day suggested in KFDA(Korea). While the average concentration of dioxins in 15 big cities was 0.190 pg-TEQ/N㎥, that in 8 medium/small cities constituting an industrial complex was 0.558 pg-TEQ/N㎥. In water, the concentration range detected were 0∼0.946pg-TEQ/L and the trend of the average concentrations shows an increase from those of 1999 but decreased from those of 2000, any sites however were not exceeded the Water Quality Standards of Dioxin in Japan (1 pg- TEQ/L). In soil. the detected range were 0∼43.333 pg-TEQ/dry g and the average concentration decreased, compared with the results of 2000. According to the monitoring results by land utilization, the detected range were 0∼43.333pg-TEQ/dry g in farmland, 0.017∼0.601 pg-TEQ/dry g in the industrial area, 0.005∼0.049pg-TEQ/dry g in the park and 0.008∼1.825 pg-TEQ/dry g in the rest. In sediment, the detected range increased from 0∼0.244 pg-TEQ/dry g to 0∼0.537 pg-TEQ/dry g, based on the results of 2000. For the proper control of dioxins, continuous monitoring needs to be performed and in addition, the dioxin inventory should be prepared for major sources through the dioxin emission survey. These results would provide sound and solid basis for proper decision making of dioxins management like establishment of environmental quality standards in Korea.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2013

This study has been conducted to provide a management plan for recycled products (plastic wastes) by identifying hazardous substances present in it and conducting exposure assessment. The concentration of 7 heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, Zn) was analyzed. Exposure scenario was assumed by the consumption of kimchi made in a recycled plastic bucket. According to the analysis, all of the analyzed samples were within the food code standard level except one sample (137.03 mg/kg, sum of Cd, $Cr^{6+}$, Pb and Hg). In leaching test, all of heavy metals were within the leaching standard (Standards specifications of utensil and container-Packing). In an oral exposure test, Fe, Pb and Zn were detected in cabbages and were below PMTDI (Provisional Maximum Tolerable Daily Intake). As one of the recycled plastic buckets exceeded the standard level, we conclude not to recommend the recycled plastic buckets for cooking purpose.