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KMID : 1156220150410010030
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Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
2015 Volume.41 No. 1 p.30 ~ p.39
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Monitoring of Heavy Metal Contents in Commercial Herbal Medicines in Korea: Cultivated Herbal Medicines in the Seoul and Daegu Areas
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Jang Seol
Lee Ah-Reum
Lee A-eong
Choi Go-Ya
Kim Ho-Kyoung
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Abstract
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Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the heavy metal contents in commercial herbal medicines in Korea.
Methods: Monitoring of lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury was carried out on 116 samples of eleven types of herbal medicines. Among the total samples, 71 samples were domestic and 45 were imported. The samples were digested using the microwave method. The heavy metal contents were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and a mercury analyzer. ICP-AES was used to analyze lead, arsenic cadmium. Mercury was analyzed by the amalgamation method.
Results: The mean values of the heavy metal contents in the herbal medicines were Pb 0.64mg/kg, As 0.26mg/kg, Cd 0.07mg/kg and Hg 0.004mg/kg. Of the total samples, one violated the MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) regulatory guidance on heavy metals in herbal medicines. Lead was detected at more than 5mg/kg in one sample. The measured values of arsenic, cadmium and mercury in the herbal medicines showed levels lower than the recommended levels for herbal medicines in MFDS regulatory guidance. In the comparison of domestic samples with imported herbal medicines, it was found that one domestic sample surpassed the maximum residue limits for lead.
Conclusion: These results will be used to establish the regulation and control of heavy metal contents in herbal medicines. In addition, continuous monitoring is needed to ensure confidence in and the safety of these herbal medicines.
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KEYWORD
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Heavy metal, Herbal medicines, ICP, Monitoring
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