• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.59-72
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of heavy metal concentrations in the blood and urine of the general population. This research had been conducted from April to December 2008, studying 545 residents of Daejeon and Chungcheong Province. Through the concentrations of heavy metals(Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Mn) in the biota samples and questionnaires, the residents heavy metal exposure level and the influential factors according to personal characteristics or lifestyle were evaluated. As to the heavy metal concentration in the blood and urine of the comparing region, were As and Mn statistically significant(p<0.01, p<0.05). Blood lead and urinary mercury concentrations were higher in males than females. The heavy metal concentration for each age group increased blood mercury. The concentration of all heavy metals were higher in the drinkers than in the non-drinkers. Blood lead and mercury concentrations were higher in the smokers than in the non-smokers, but the urinary cadmium, arsenic and blood manganese was higher in the non-smokers than in the smokers. As to the blood lead and urinary cadmium concentration according to the food preference fish showed high concentration. To clarify the factors affecting the heavy metal concentration in biota among subjects multiple regression analysis was conducted. As a results, it turned out that as to lead content in blood, sex, age and smoking have influence on the subjects with explanatory adequacy of 14.0 %. These results demonstrated that the factors affected the concentrations of heavy metals in blood and urine. The results of this study could be used as the foundational data for setting the health risk assessment.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 2001

As the severity of environmental pollution increases, the foodstuffs are contaminated more the ever. There are 40 kinds of heavy metals that we are able to consume through the heavy metal contaminated-foodstuffs. Arsenic, lead, cadmium, and chromium out or them have been know to be a potential cause for a alzheimers disease, kidney diseases, and cancer. However, research data on the daily intakes of such heavy metals are limited. This study was performed to evaluate the daily intakes of nutrients and the dietary heavy metals of the college women living in Choongchung-NamDo Area, where had been reported to have high contents of heavy metals for the seafoods. We also investigated the blood levels of the heavy metals. The mean age, height, weight, BMI and percent ideal body weight(PIBW) of the subjects were 20$\pm$1.0yr, 158.4$\pm$0.7cm, 55.1$\pm$1.4kg, 22.4$\pm$.04, and 103.3$\pm$2.5 %, resp-ectivly. The mean of daily energy intake was 1,717.03$\pm$55.99kacl/day(86% of RDA for women). The ratio to energy from carbohydrate, fat and protein was 60: 24: 16. Daily intakes of Vit A, Vit B$_2$, CA, and Fe were under the RDA for those nutrients. The mean adequate ratio of the subjects was 0.92 . The daily intakes of heavy metal, such as As, Pb, Co, Cr and Mn , were 1.80$\pm$0.27mg, 75.21$\pm$4.12$\mu\textrm{g}$, 21.12$\pm$12.34$\mu\textrm{g}$, 60.07$\pm$6.24$\mu\textrm{g}$ and 6.23 $\pm$0.12mg respectively. the blood levels of As, Pb, Co, Cr and Mn were 16.10$\pm$2.10$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, 4.32$\pm$0.58$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, 0.02$\pm$0.01$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, 4.23$\pm$0.41$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, and 4.40$\pm$0.21$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, respectively. In conclusion, daily intake of heavy metals for the college women living in Choongchung-NamDo area was lower than that of WHOs re-commendation, however, the blood levels of each heavy metals were higher than those of Japanese, american, and italian, There were no correlations between the dietary intakes and blood levels of each heavy metals. (Korean J Nutrition 34(1):48-53, 2001)

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.93-103
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• 2009

Evidences from various countries suggest that toxic heavy metals in herbal medicine may constitute a serious health problem. In order to evaluate whether the toxic heavy metals caused by herbal medicine intake, blood samples collected from 222 patients taking herbal medicine were analyzed. In average levels of analyzed metals, $0.4{\sim}33.9%$ of total samples for 8 metals such as Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn except Cr and Fe exceeded the upper limit for WHO reference value. In analysis of regression coefficients indicating the levels of metals increased or decreased after taking herbal medicine for one month, however, there were different aspects by intake types for herbal medicine. For example, the metals increased by taking decoction in blood samples were as follows; Cd and Pb whether Mn, Ni and Pb as increased metals were identified in the group taking pill and decoction(combined intake group). The odds ratio showing values higher than 1 indicating that people who take herbal medicine would have possibility higher for metal accumulation in blood than that from people who do not take herbal medicine. The metals showing the odds ratio higher than 1 were Hg and Ni in decoction group, and Cd and Hg in combined intake group. However, eight of the total, 10 metals showed the odds ratios lower than 1 by taking herbal medicine. Thus, this may explain the possible role of herbal medicine as a chelator for heavy metals in body.

• Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.375-379
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• 2018

Background and aim: Heavy metals have been recognized as toxins for centuries. Cupping therapy has been shown to aid in the excretion of accumulated fluids and toxins from the interstitial fluid. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of wet cupping therapy on blood levels of heavy metals. Methods: Thirteen healthy male individuals [mean age ${\pm}$ standard deviation, $28.47{\pm}6.18$] participated in this study. Venous blood samples were collected 5 min before and 30 days after the wet cupping therapy. Five points of the posterior neck and bilateral perispinal areas of the neck and thoracic spine were selected for cupping therapy. The levels of aluminium (Al), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: The levels of heavy metals (Al, Zn, and Cd) after cupping therapy were significantly lower than the levels before therapy. Conclusions: These results suggest that wet cupping therapy has an excretory effect on the kidney. Wet cupping therapy may clear blood from excess heavy metals.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.535-543
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• 2019

Objectives: Internal exposure to certain heavy metals is thought to be associated with periodontitis. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the relationship between blood levels of heavy metals and periodontitis among the Korean population. Methods: Data from the 2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was analyzed. A total of 1,968 adults aged 19 years or above were included. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between blood lead levels of lead, cadmium, and mercury, and periodontitis. Confounders such as sex, age, brushing frequency, smoking, etc. were adjusted. Results: Blood levels of lead, cadmium, and mercury showed a significant relationship with periodontitis in a crude model of logistic regression analysis. However, participants with the highest blood levels of cadmium showed higher risk of periodontitis, than those with lower blood levels of cadmium (OR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.11-2.70) after adjusting for the confounders. Conclusions: High blood levels of cadmium may be associated with periodontitis among the Korean population.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.213-223
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the level of physical exposure to heavy metals among residents who live around a Chungcheongnam-do Province industrial complex and to provide baseline data on the effects and harms of heavy metals on the human body by comparing their exposure levels to those of people from control regions. Methods: We measured blood lead and cadmium levels and urine mercury and chromium levels and conducted a survey among 559 residents from the affected area and 347 residents of other areas. Results: Blood lead and cadmium levels and urine mercury levels were significantly higher in the case region than among those in the control region (p=0.013, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). In the thermoelectric power plant area, blood cadmium and urine mercury levels were significantly higher than in the control region (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). In the steel mill and petrochemical industry areas, blood cadmium level was significantly higher than that in the control region (p<0.001). Dividing groups by the reference level of blood cadmium ($2{\mu}g/L$), the odds ratios between the case and control regions were 2.56 (95% CI=1.83-3.58), 3.11 (95% CI=2.06-4.71) for the thermoelectric power plant area, 1.78 (95% CI=1.19-2.65) for the steel mill area and 4.07 (95% CI=2.40-6.89) for petrochemical industry area. Conclusion: This study showed that the levels of exposure to heavy metals among residents living near a Chungcheongnam-do Province industrial complex were significantly higher than those in the control region. This seems to be attributable to exposure to heavy metals emissions from the industrial complex. Further research and safety measures are required to protect residents' health.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2011

Objectives: This study assessed the factors that have an influence on the residents exposed to heavy metals, and we utilized the findings to establish the proper management of abandoned metal mines in the future. Methods: For a total of 258 residents who lived close to abandoned mines in Gangwon-province and Gyeonggi-province, the exposure factors and biomarkers in their blood and urine were comparatively analyzed via multiple regression analysis. Results: The blood levels of lead and mercury and the cadmium levels in urine were found to be higher in the study group than that in the average Korean. For the blood levels of heavy metals according to each exposure factor, all of them were found to be significantly higher in both of the group residing for a longer period of time and the group living closer to the source of pollutants. Multiple regression analysis disclosed that all the heavy metals, except lead, in their blood were significantly reduced in proportion to the increased distance of inhabitancy from the mines. Their other biomarkers were within the normal ranges. Conclusions: We found that the distance between the residential village and the mines was a factor that affects the blood level of heavy metals in the villagers. This finding could be an important factor when developing a management model for the areas that surround abandoned metal mines. (ED note: I much like this important study.)

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.88-92
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to study the intake of heavy metals such af arsenic, lead and cobalt and the relationship of dietary heavy metals with serum iron, topper, and zinc, which play important roles in hematopoiesis, in healthy college women living in Choongnam Korea, where we have detected heavy metals (As, Pb, Co) in some marine products in previous studies. The nutritional status of the subjects (35 women) was evaluated by anthropometric measurements, 24-hr dietary recall for 3 days. And 3-day diets (by weighing method) and blood were collected to analyze As, Pb, Co, Fe, Cu, Zn, Hb, Hct, and MCHC. The mean age, height, weight, and BMI were 20 years, 158 cm, 55 kg and 22.42 kg/$m^2$, respectively. The mean daily energy intake was 85.85% of RDA for Koreans. The ratio of energy from carbohydrate, protein, and fat was 60 : 24 : 16. The mean daily intake of heavy metals (As, Pb, Co) was 1.77 mg/day, 75.21 $\mu$g/day and 21.12 $\mu$g/day. And the mean daily intake of iron, copper, and Zinc concentrations were 97, 68, and 92% of normal values. The mean serum heavy metals (As, Pb, Co) were 16.14 $\mu$g/dl, 4.32 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl and 0.02 $\mu$g/dr, respectively Mean blood levels of Fe, Cu, Zn, Hb, Hct, and MCHC were at normal levels. Dietary heavy metals except Co were not significantly different from serum Fe, Cu, Zn and Hb, Hct, and MCHC. However, there was a tendency toward lower serum concentration of Fe, Hb, Hct, and MCHC in the subjects with higher heavy metals (As) intake. Among heavy metals, only dietary Co showed a significant negative correlation with Hb (p< 0.001) and Hct (p < 0.001).

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.105-110
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• 2009

Yellow sand (or Asian dust) occurs mainly in spring in East Asia. Yellow sand from China and its surrounding regions transports air pollutants, such as aerosols, ozone, and heavy metals. The outdoor workers are frequently exposed to heavy metals during yellow sand phenomenon. This study was carried out to investigate the heavy metal levels in blood among 75 outdoor workers (exposed group) and 86 indoor workers (controled group) in Gyeonggi province from March 2008 to May 2009. Heavy metal levels in blood were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Mean blood lead levels in exposed group and controled group were $5.19{\pm}1.64{\mu}g/dL$, $4.24{\pm}1.34{\mu}g/dL$, respectively. Mean blood cadmium levels in exposed group and controled group were $1.28{\pm}0.89{\mu}g/dL$, $0.90{\pm}0.59{\mu}g/dL$, respectively. Lead and Cadmium levels in blood of exposed group were significantly higher than those of controled group. In the comparison of smoking status, lead and cadmium levels of smokers were significantly higher than those of non-smokers. In conclusion, the heavy metal levels of outdoor workers were significantly higher than those of indoor workers. And smoking was hazardous factor to elevate heavy metal levels in blood.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 2006

Various heavy metals have been known for causing ischemic stroke. In order to describe the causative relationship between the blood levels of various heavy metals and stroke patients, 116 patients with stroke and 111 patients without stroke were selected from one Oriental medical hospital in Wonju, Korea. Total of 9 kinds of metals such as As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were analyzed in blood from patients with and without stroke. There were no significant differences in the means of metal concentrations between the stroke and nonstroke patients except for the mean of Co concentration. In the case of Co, the means for stroke and non-stroke patients were 0.44 ug/l and 0.40 ug/l showing a significant difference at the level of p-value=0.05. The odds ratios for each metal ranged from 0.96 to 2.86. Most odds ratios were not significant but the odds ratio for Co, $2.86{\pm}1.49$ was significant, indicating that Co increases the risk of stroke by 2.86 times. In order to identify the specific risk level of stroke increased by a multiple interaction of metals, regression coefficients and odds ratio for a pair or multiple pair of metals were reanalyzed. However, all of regression coefficients and odds ratios were not significant. In conclusion, Co showed the significant level in blood from patients with stroke. In addition, the odds ratio of stroke was significantly different from other metals. Thus, it is considered that Co among various metals analyzed in this study is the important metal for increasing the risk of stroke.