Lead, cadmium and mercury levels in the 2010 Korean diet.
This study analysed the level of contamination of harmful heavy metals in 3820 food samples available in Korea in 2010. A total of 119 types of samples were collected, including corns, vegetables, fruits, fishes, mollusks, shellfish, crustaceans, seaweed, bean products, meats and eggs from seven major cities. These samples were analysed using ICP-MS after pre-treatment with a microwave-digestion system. Results of lead, cadmium and mercury analyses were compared with the standard specifications of Korea Food Standards Codex. As a result, high levels of Pb, Cd and Hg were detected in "cockle," "dried-squid" and "shark-meat." Acceptable intake for consumers was checked using provisional tolerable weekly intake values. Such results will be utilised as data on the exposure of human body through foods. In addition, satisfactory results were obtained through purchase and analysis of National Institute of Science and Technology-certified reference materials to obtain reliability on analysis results.
a Advanced Analysis Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology , Seoul , Republic of Korea.
Jae Hoon
JH
Kim
Ji Yeon
JY
Lee
Joo Ee
JE
Seo
Ji Yoon
JY
Jeong
Ki Kyung
KK
Jung
Hae Jung
HJ
Yoon
Kyung Su
KS
Park
D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis*; D004032:Diet; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D005399:Fishes; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D017747:Seafood / Q000032:analysis*; D012758:Shellfish
D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D008628:Mercury
cadmium; diet; lead; mercury