44G-1 |
Determination of lead in sugars consumed in Korea by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry |
S. Y. CHUNG, M. Kim, Y. S. Sho, M. K. Hong, and M. C. Kim. Department of Food evaluation/Division of Food contaminants, Korea Food and Drug Administration, 5 Nokbun-dong, Eunpyung-gu, Seoul, 122-704, South Korea Lead has been recognized as a toxic metal. Overall exposure to lead is a public health concern. There has been renewed concern about the adverse health effects in individuals exposed to lead levels previously thougt to be safe. Because food is a potential source of lead, there is an increasing interest in lowering the acceptable lead limits, particularly for foods that are frequently consumed. Many studies on lead contents in sugars have been conducted in other countries, however little has been done in Korea. The objective of this study was to estimate lead contents in sugars consumed in Korea and to provide a scientific basis of the evaluation of risk to public health arising from dietary lead intakes. A total of 180 samples of sugars were digested with acids then analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean levels of lead in sugar, glucose and fructose was 0.022mg/kg, 0.028mg/kg and 0.042mg/kg, respectively. Our results were similar to those reported by other countries. Our average weekly intakes of lead(0.013งถ/kg b.w) takes about 0.05% of PTWI(Provisonal Tolerable Weekly Intakes) that JECFA( Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee Food Additives) has set.
Session 44G, Toxicology & Safety Evaluation
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