The Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) program provides useful information on chemical exposure, serves as the basis for environmental health policies, and suggests appropriate measures to protect public health. Initiated on a three-year cycle in 2009, it reports the concentrations of major environmental chemicals among the representative Korean population. KoNEHS Cycle 3 introduced children and adolescents into the analysis, where the blood and urine samples of 6167 participants were measured for major metals, phthalates, phenolics, and other organic compounds. Lead, mercury, cadmium, metabolites of DEHP and DnBP, and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid levels of the Korean adult population tended to decrease compared to previous survey cycles but remained higher than those observed in the US or Canada. Both bisphenol A (BPA) and trans,trans-muconic acid concentrations have increased over time. Heavy metal concentrations (blood lead, and cadmium) in children and adolescents were approximately half that of adults, while some organic substances (e.g., phthalates and BPA) were high. BPA showed higher levels than in the US or Canada, whereas BPF and BPS showed lower detection rates in this cycle; however, as these are increasingly used as a substitute for BPA, further research is necessary. As environmental chemicals may affect childhood health and development, additional analyses should assess exposure sources and routes through continuous observations.
This study investigated the prospective increase in the amount of hazardous substances in packing containers. Thestudy's aim was to analyse phthalates, which are regulated for use in food containers in the EU, as well as four heavymetals (Pb, Cd, Hg, and Cr6+) regulated domestically and abroad. Furthermore, we endeavored to confirm the need foradditional regulations for packaging material by analysing PBDEs (Polybrominated diphenyl ethers), a brominated flameretardant that has recently become an issue because of its wide use in plastic packaging. The concentration of the heavymetal, namely Pb, Cd, Hg and Cr6+ in packaging material samples were in ranged from ND to 7.2mg/kg, ND to 0.47mg/kg, ND to 0.07mg/kg, and ND to 5.01mg/kg, respectively. With total concentration of the four heavy metals (ΣPb+Cd+Hg+Cr6+) ranging from ND to 9.14mg/kg, all samples were below the standard threshold (Σ 100mg/kg). Theconcentration of phthalates in packaging samples was less than the standard of all foreign nations of 0.1% (1,000mg/kg). In particular, DEHP, DEHA, and DBP were detected higher in smart phone cases than others; other materials werefound to be at similar levels. The concentration of PBDEs in packaging material samples was detected in the range ofND to 24.2mg/kg, thereby not exceeding the standard of WEEE and RoHS of 0.1% (1,000mg/kg) for electrical appliancesand electronics.
The aim of the present study was to demonstrate that Fritillaria thunbergii Miquel extract exerts anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant effects on lipopolysaccharide‑stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. To confirm the inhibitory effect of ethyl acetate fraction of FTM (EAFM) on inflammation, the expression of nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory cytokines was assessed by performing ELISA. Expression of intracellular mRNA and protein was confirmed by reverse transcription PCR and western blotting. In addition, the anti‑inflammatory and anti‑oxidant mechanisms of NF‑κB, MAPK and heme oxygenase‑1 (HO‑1) were also investigated. EAFM significantly inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors including NO, IL‑6 and TNF‑α at non‑toxic concentrations. EAFM also inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in a concentration‑dependent manner, but did not alter the expression of cyclooxygenase‑2. Pre‑treatment with EAFM inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF‑κB, and suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK. In addition, EAFM induced 2,2'‑azino‑bis(3‑ethylbenzothiazoline‑6‑sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity and an increase in the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2‑related factor 2 (Nrf2) and HO‑1. The results indicated that EAFM inhibited the expression of pro‑inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting ERK/JNK phosphorylation and NF‑κB translocation. EAFM also exerted antioxidant effects via Nrf2/HO‑1 stimulation. Collectively, the results of the present study indicated that EAFM may be a valuable alternative for the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases.
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