Case Files of the Emory University Medical Toxicology Fellowship: Inhalational Mercury Toxicity from a Traditional Vietnamese Product

Pandalai, S. L.; Morgan, Brent

doi:10.1007/s13181-011-0180-4

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 56 publications

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“…Above four heavy metals rank among the priority metals that are of public health significance due to their high degree of toxicity, which can cause multiple organ damage, even at lower levels of exposure [ 25 ]. The herbal drug-derived poisoning of heavy metals are frequently reported, likely hemolytic anemia by arsenic intoxication [ 26 ], congenital lead poisoning [ 27 ], and mercury toxicity following herbal preparations [ 28 ]. Moreover, As, Cd, Pb and Hg are carcinogenic toxic metals [ 29 , 30 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring heavy metals, residual agricultural chemicals and sulfites in traditional herbal decoctions

Lee

Kim

et al. 2017

BMC Complement Altern Med

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BackgroundAsian traditional herbal preparations are frequently considered for the contamination with undeclared toxic or hazardous substances. The aim of this study was to determine the toxic heavy metals, pesticides and sulfur dioxide in decoctions that is a common form of final utilization in Korea.MethodsA total of 155 decoctions composed of multi-ingredient traditional herbs were randomly sampled from Seoul in Korea between 2013 and 2014. For each decoction, the concentrations of four heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury), 33 pesticides and sulfur dioxide were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), mercury analyzer, gas chromatography/nitrogen phosphorous detector (GC/NPD), gas chromatography/micro electron capture detector (GC/μECD), and Monier-Williams method respectively.ResultsOne hundred fifty-two of One hundred fifty-five decoctions (98.1%) contained one of three heavy metals (96.1% for As, 97.4% for Cd, and 90.3% for Pb, 0.0% for Hg). Their average concentrations (77.0 ± 79.7 ug/kg for As, 20.4 ± 23.7 ug/kg for Cd, and 68.8 ± 76.5 ug/kg for Pb) were approximately 20% of the maximum allowable limits of vegetable or ginseng beverage described in the Korean Food Standard Codex while their 95th percentile concentrations were below than the guideline for them. None of 33 pesticides was detected in 155 decoction samples, and only one sample showed over limit of detection for residual sulfites.ConclusionsThis study support that the contained status of toxic heavy metals, pesticides and sulfur dioxide in herbal decoctions are currently within safe level in Korea, and provide a reference data for the further studies focused on the safety herbal preparations.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1646-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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