Survey of Heavy Metal Contents of Circulating Agricultural Products in Korea

摘要

This survey was conducted as a surveillance program following the establishment of safety guidelines for agricultural products in Korea. Concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) were measured in 421 samples using a mercury analyzer or ICP-MS. The average levels of Pb in mg/kg were 0.021 for rice, 0.020 for corn, 0.028 for soybeans, 0.034 for red beans, 0.025 for sweet potatoes, 0.021 for potatoes, 0.019 for Chinese cabbage, 0.031 for spinach, 0.021 for Welsh onions, and 0.011 for radishes. The average levels of Cd in mg/kg were 0.021 for rice, 0.002 for corn, 0.020 for soybeans, 0.006 for red beans, 0.008 for swelt potatoes, 0.011 for potatoes, 0.007 for Chinese cabbage, 0.035 for spinach, 0.006 for Welsh onions, and, 0.006 for radishes. The average levels of As in mg/kg were 0.103 for rice, 0.005 for corn, 0.007 for soybeans, 0.005 for red beans, 0.005 for sweet potatoes, 0.004 for potatoes, 0.007 for Chinese cabbage, 0.015 for spinach, 0.009 for Welsh onions and,0.006 for radishes. Finally, the average levels of Hg in mu g/kg were 2.3 for rice, 0.2 for corn, 0.6 for soybeans, 1.4 for red beans, 0.1 for sweet potatoes, 0.3 for potatoes, 0.5 Chinese cabbage, 2.1 for spinach, 0.5 for Welsh onions, and 0.2 for radishes. Based on the Korean public nutrition report 2005, these levels (or amounts) are calculated only at 2.6% for Pb, 8.7% for Cd, 1.2% for Hg of those presented in provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) which has been established by FAO/WHO. Therefore, the levels presented here are presumed to be adequately safe.