한약재복용으로 인한 한국인의 중금속 섭취량 및 위해성 평가연구

Abstract

Based on a nationwide survey of the consumption of oriental medicine by the Korean population, we estimated the potential risk from the inadvertent ingestion of heavy metals such as Pb, Hg, As, and Cd as a result such consumption. Compared to the provisional daily intake limit, heavy metal intake through oriental medicine resulted in hazard quotients of less than one. The upper 90th percentile exposure estimates for each metal also showed insignificant risk. In relation to inorganic forms that are known carcinogens the excess cancer risk was less than 1×10−7. Based on the results of this study exposure to Pb, Hg, As, or Cd through oriental medicine intake appeared to be negligible and would not cause a significant impact on health.