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Fulltext Facile hydrothermal preparation of titanium dioxide decorated reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite

Chang BY, Huang NM, An'amt MN, Marlinda AR, Norazriena Y, Muhamad MR, et al.

Int J Nanomedicine, 2012;7:3379-87.
PMID: 22848166 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S28189

A simple single-stage approach, based on the hydrothermal technique, has been introduced to synthesize reduced graphene oxide/titanium dioxide nanocomposites. The titanium dioxide nanoparticles are formed at the same time as the graphene oxide is reduced to graphene. The triethanolamine used in the process has two roles. It acts as a reducing agent for the graphene oxide as well as a capping agent, allowing the formation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution (~20 nm). Transmission electron micrographs show that the nanoparticles are uniformly distributed on the reduced graphene oxide nanosheet. Thermogravimetric analysis shows the nanocomposites have an enhanced thermal stability over the original components. The potential applications for this technology were demonstrated by the use of a reduced graphene oxide/titanium dioxide nanocomposite-modified glassy carbon electrode, which enhanced the electrochemical performance compared to a conventional glassy carbon electrode when interacting with mercury(II) ions in potassium chloride electrolyte.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury/analysis
Evaluation of mercury contamination in Smilax myosotiflora herbal preparations

Ang HH, Lee KL

Int J Toxicol, 2007 Sep-Oct;26(5):433-9.
PMID: 17963130 DOI: 10.1080/10915810701583036

The DCA (Drug Control Authority) of Malaysia implemented phase 3 registration of traditional medicines in January 1992 with special emphasis on the quality, efficacy, and safety of all dosage forms of these medicines. For this reason, a total of 100 herbal products containing Smilax myosotiflora were purchased in the Malaysian market and analyzed for mercury content, as mercury is a recognized reproductive toxicant. The products were analyzed using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry. It was found that 89% of the above products do not exceed 0.5 ppm of mercury. Heavy metal poisoning such as mercury has been associated with traditional medicines. Therefore, it is important that doctors and health care practitioners are aware of these risks and finding ways to minimize them, including questions pertaining to the use of these remedies during the routine taking of a patient's history.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury/analysis*
Determination of mercury by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometer in Tongkat Ali preparations obtained in Malaysia

Ang HH, Lee EL, Cheang HS

Int J Toxicol, 2004 Jan-Feb;23(1):65-71.
PMID: 15162849 DOI: 10.1080/10915810490269654

The DCA (Drug Control Authority), Malaysia, has implemented the phase 3 registration of traditional medicines on 1 January 1992, with special emphasis on the quality, efficacy, and safety (including the presence of heavy metals) in all pharmaceutical dosage forms of traditional medicine preparations. As such, a total of 100 products in various pharmaceutical dosage forms of a herbal preparation, containing Tongkat Ali, were analyzed for mercury content using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results showed that 36% of the above products possessed 0.52 to 5.30 ppm of mercury and, therefore, do not comply with the quality requirement for traditional medicines in Malaysia. Out of these 36 products, 5 products that possessed 1.05 to 4.41 ppm of mercury were in fact have already registered with the DCA, Malaysia. However, the rest of the products that contain 0.52 to 5.30 ppm of mercury still have not registered with the DCA, Malaysia. Although this study showed that only 64% of the products complied with the quality requirement for traditional medicines in Malaysia pertaining to mercury, they cannot be assumed safe from mercury contamination because of batch-to-batch inconsistency.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury/analysis*
Fulltext Study of selective metals accumulation in green mustard (Brasissca rapa var. Parachinesis L.) from Cameron Highlands Farmlands, Pahang

Zaini Hamzah, Marlinda Musa, Ahmad Saat

Journal of Nuclear and Related Technologies, 2011;2011(1):1-5.
MyJurnal

There are many essential and non-essential elements including metals and radionuclides present in vegetables. Howeve r, the accumulation of the several metals and radionuclides might cause the contamination to vegetables itself. Green m ustard (Brasissca rapa var. Parachinesis L.) was selected to represent the vegetable in this study. Objectives of this stud y are to determine the concentration of metals and radionuclides in the samples and to calculate the enrichment factor ( EF) and also to estimate the uptake, base on biological accumulation coefficient (BAC), for the various parts of selecte d vegetables. Three farmlands in the Cameron Highlands were studied namely Bharat, Kg Raja and Bertam area. The g reen mustard and soil samples were collected during the harvest season. Samples were dried, ground and sieved prior t o analysis. Analyses for both samples were done by using X-rays Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) to measure the conc entration of Fe, Zn, Hg, U and Th. The concentration of all elements in the soils is lower than their concentration in the control soil, except for Zn, U and Th. The concentration of all elements in Green Mustard is lower than their concentrat ion in the soil where it was grown. The EF values in the Brasissca rapa var. Parachinesis L are lower than 2 except for U and Th, indicating some degree of contamination due to anthropogenic activities or naturally origin. The BAC values show that Zn and Hg were accumulated in the green mustard, depending on where the plant grows.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury
Fulltext Occupational safety and health practice in school's classroom in Malaysia

Noor Adilah Hamzah, Ahmad Rasdan Ismail, Nor Kamilah Makhtar, Khairul Azhar Mat Daud, Norhidayah Mat Sout

Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 2018;15(2):13-22.
MyJurnal

Today, more accidents reported in school, resulting not only minor injuries but also severe injuries such as fire in schools, mercury spills and falling from high places. The study was aimed at measuring the level of occupational safety and health practices in schools. The study was conducted at 205 schools in Kelantan, Malaysia. This study is a semi-quantitative study using observation method. Data collection is conducted based on Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control (HIRARC) Guidelines provided by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Malaysia. Hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control are determined using the HIRARC form. The findings were measured by determining the discrete data according to the number of low, medium and high-risk levels found. The study found that there were two dominant hazards namely physical hazard and ergonomic hazard. Therefore, the management should increase and improve classroom safety awareness to ensure safety and health of all occupants.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury
Reduction of mercury from mackerel fillet using combined solution of cysteine, EDTA, and sodium chloride

Hajeb P, Jinap S

J Agric Food Chem, 2012 Jun 13;60(23):6069-76.
PMID: 22515475 DOI: 10.1021/jf300582j

An acidic solution containing mercury chelating agents to eliminate mercury in raw fish (mackerel) fillet was developed. The solution contained hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, cysteine, EDTA, and NaCl. The optimum conditions for mercury reduction were achieved using response surface methodology (RSM) at cysteine concentration of 1.25%, EDTA of 275 mg/L, NaCl of 0.5%, pH of 3.75, and exposure time of 18 min. The optimized conditions produced a solution which can remove up to 91% mercury from raw fish fillet. Cysteine and EDTA were identified as potential chelating agents with the greatest potential for use. The solution can be employed in fish industries to reduce mercury in highly contaminated fish.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury/isolation & purification*
Fulltext Bioavailability of zinc oxide nano particle with fly ash soil for the remediation of metals by Parthenium hysterophorus

Ahmad A, Ghufran R, Al-Hosni TK

J Environ Health Sci Eng, 2019 Dec;17(2):1195-1203.
PMID: 32030185 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-019-00434-2

To investigate the interaction of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with fly ash soil (FAS) for the reduction of metals from FAS by Parthenium hysterophorus were studied. The average accumulation of metals by P. hysterophorus stem were Fe 79.6%; Zn 88.5%; Cu 67.5%; Pb 93.6%; Ni 43.5% and Hg 39.4% at 5.5 g ZnO NP. The concentration of ZnO NP at 1.5 g did not affect the metals accumulation, however at 5.5 g ZnO NP showed highest metal reduction was 96.7% and at 10.5-15.5 g ZnO NP of 19.8%. The metal reduction rate was R
max
for Fe 16.4; Zn 21.1; Pb 41.9; Hg 19.1 was higher than Ni 6.4 and Cu 11.3 from the FAS at 5.5 g ZnO NP whereas, the reduction rate of Pb showed highest. With doses of 5.5 g ZnO NP the biomass increased upto 78%; the metal reduced upto 98.7% with the share of 100% ZnO NP from FAS. Further investigation with phytotoxicity the plant reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were affected due was mainly due to the recovery of metals from FAS (R2 = 0.99).

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury
Fulltext Effect of supercritical fluid extraction on the reduction of toxic elements in fish oil compared with other extraction methods

Hajeb P, Selamat J, Afsah-Hejri L, Mahyudin NA, Shakibazadeh S, Sarker MZ

J Food Prot, 2015 Jan;78(1):172-9.
PMID: 25581193 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-14-248

High-quality fish oil for human consumption requires low levels of toxic elements. The aim of this study was to compare different oil extraction methods to identify the most efficient method for extracting fish oil of high quality with the least contamination. The methods used in this study were Soxhlet extraction, enzymatic extraction, wet reduction, and supercritical fluid extraction. The results showed that toxic elements in fish oil could be reduced using supercritical CO2 at a modest temperature (60°C) and pressure (35 MPa) with little reduction in the oil yield. There were significant reductions in mercury (85 to 100%), cadmium (97 to 100%), and lead (100%) content of the fish oil extracted using the supercritical fluid extraction method. The fish oil extracted using conventional methods contained toxic elements at levels much higher than the accepted limits of 0.1 μg/g.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury/isolation & purification*
Distribution of mercury in sediments, plant and animal tissues in Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Malaysia

Wolswijk G, Satyanarayana B, Dung LQ, Siau YF, Ali ANB, Saliu IS, et al.

J Hazard Mater, 2020 04 05;387:121665.
PMID: 31784131 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121665

Charcoal production activities at the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve (MMFR) in Peninsular Malaysia have a potential to emit volatile compounds such as Hg back into the ambient environment, raising concerns on the public health and safety. The present study was aimed at analyzing Hg concentration from different plant/animal tissues and sediment samples (in total 786 samples) to understand clearly the Hg distribution at the MMFR. Leaves of Rhizophora spp. showed higher Hg concentration with an increasing trend from young, to mature, to senescent and decomposing stages, which was possibly due to accumulation of Hg over time. The low Hg concentration in Rhizophora roots and bark suggests a limited absorption from the sediments and a meagre accumulation/partitioning by the plant tissue, respectively. In the case of mangrove cockles the concentration of Hg was lower than the permissible limits for seafood consumption. Although the mangrove gastropod - Cassidula aurisfelis Bruguière had rather elevated Hg in the muscle tissue, it is still less than the environmental safely limit. Beside the chances of atmospheric deposition for Hg, the sediment samples were found to be unpolluted in nature, indicating that in general the MMFR is still safe in terms of Hg pollution.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury/analysis*
An Electrochemical Sandwich Immunosensor for the Detection of HER2 using Antibody-Conjugated PbS Quantum Dot as a label

Lah ZMANH, Ahmad SAA, Zaini MS, Kamarudin MA

J Pharm Biomed Anal, 2019 Sep 10;174:608-617.
PMID: 31265987 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2019.06.024

A facile electrochemical sandwich immunosensor for the detection of a breast cancer biomarker, the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), was designed, using lead sulfide quantum dots-conjugated secondary HER2 antibody (Ab2-PbS QDs) as a label. Using Ab2-PbS QDs in the development of electrochemical immunoassays leads to many advantages such as straightforward synthesis and well-defined stripping signal of Pb(II) through acid dissolution, which in turn yields better sensing performance for the sandwiched immunosensor. In the bioconjugation of PbS QDs, the available amine and hydroxyl groups from secondary anti-HER2 and capped PbS QDs were bound covalently together via carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) acting as a linker. In order to quantify the biomarker, SWV signal was obtained, where the Pb2+ ions after acid dissolution in HCl was detected. The plated mercury film SPCE was also detected in situ. Under optimal conditions, HER2 was detected in a linear range from 1-100 ng/mL with a limit of detection of 0.28 ng/mL. The measures of satisfactory recoveries were 91.3% to 104.3% for the spiked samples, displaying high selectivity. Therefore, this method can be applied to determine HER2 in human serum.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury
Fulltext Levels of Mercury in Fish-Eating Children, With and Without Amalgam Restoration

Padmakumar V, Premkala Raveendran K, Abdulla AM, Ganapathy S, Sainudeen S, Nasim VS, et al.

J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2019 May;11(Suppl 2):S397-S401.
PMID: 31198376 DOI: 10.4103/JPBS.JPBS_44_19

Background: Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that exists in three forms: elemental (metallic), inorganic, and organic mercury. Amalgam, which is an alloy of inorganic mercury, is used as a restorative material in dentistry. Organic mercury gets ingested in the body mainly by the consumption of seafood. Mercury is also stated to cause various adverse health effects such as gastrointestinal disturbances, dermatitis, muscle weakness, and neurological disorders. In recent years, the use of amalgam has become a controversy stating the various adverse effects of mercury. Hence, the study was conducted to determine and compare the variation in levels of organic and inorganic mercury in fish-eating children before and after placement of amalgam restoration.
Materials and Methods: Seventy-five subjects, 42 males (56%) and 35 females (44%) of age group ranging 7-13 years, living in South Canara district of Karnataka, India, were selected as a part of the study. Hair and urine samples were collected for estimation of organic and inorganic levels of mercury, respectively. Informed consent was collected from all the participating subjects.
Results: On comparison between organic and inorganic mercury levels during the study period, the concentration of organic mercury in hair samples was greater irrespective of amalgam restorations present (1.172 and 0.085, respectively; P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Thus inorganic levels of mercury do not seem to pose a threat as much as the organic levels observed in hair, which remain fairly constant for a longer period of time. Hence in a coastal region where this study was undertaken and fish being a staple food, the risk could probably be attributed to more of an organic toxicity than an inorganic one. Thus amalgam is relatively safe to be practiced and the controversy against it should be reevaluated.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury
Mercury in dental amalgam: Are our health care workers at risk?

Sahani M, Sulaiman NS, Tan BS, Yahya NA, Anual ZF, Mahiyuddin WR, et al.

J Air Waste Manag Assoc, 2016 Nov;66(11):1077-1083.
PMID: 27192328 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2016.1188866

Dental amalgam in fillings exposes workers to mercury. The exposure to mercury was investigated among 1871 dental health care workers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk of mercury exposure among dental compared to nondental health care workers and to determine other risk factors for mercury exposure. Respondents answered questionnaires to obtain demographic, personal, professional, and workplace information and were examined for their own amalgam fillings. Chronic mercury exposure was assessed through urinary mercury levels. In total, 1409 dental and 462 nondental health care workers participated in the study. Median urine mercury levels for dental and nondental health care workers were 2.75 μg/L (interquartile range [IQR] = 3.0175) and 2.66 μg/L (IQR = 3.04) respectively. For mercury exposure, there were no significant risk factor found among the workers involved within the dental care. The Mann-Whitney test showed that urine mercury levels were significantly different between respondents who eat seafood more than 5 times per week compared to those who eat it less frequently or not at all (p = 0.003). The urinary mercury levels indicated significant difference between dental workers in their practice using squeeze cloths (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.03). Multiple logistic regression showed that only the usage of cosmetic products that might contain mercury was found to be significantly associated with the urinary mercury levels (odds ratio [OR] = 15.237; CI: 3.612-64.276). Therefore, mean urinary mercury levels of health care workers were low. Exposure to dental amalgam is not associated with high mercury exposure. However, usage of cosmetic products containing mercury and high seafood consumption may lead to the increase of exposure to mercury.

IMPLICATIONS: Exposure to the high levels of mercury from dental amalgam can lead to serious health effects among the dental health care workers. Nationwide chronic mercury exposure among dental personnel was assessed through urinary mercury levels. Findings suggest low urinary mercury levels of these health care workers. Exposure to dental amalgam is not associated with high mercury exposure. However, the usage of cosmetic products containing mercury and high seafood consumption may lead to the increase of exposure to mercury.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury/urine*
Fulltext Summary of paper on the treatment of syphilis by intramuscular injection of mercury

Greic

Journal of the Straits Medical Association, 1894;5:139-41.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury
Cerebral syphilis with a description of two interesting cases

Kanagarayer K

Malayan Medical Journal, 1928;3:15-6.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury
Fulltext Prevalence of hypertension among Malay adolescents in Putrajaya secondary schools, Malaysia, 2010

Rampal L, Ng KC, Nur Izzati I, Farah Izzati Z, Mohammad Nazrul I, Faisal I, et al.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2011;7(2):53-60.
MyJurnal

Background: In Malaysia, the prevalence of hypertension amongst adults aged 30 years and above has increased from 32.9% in 1996 to 40.5% in 2004 and to 42.6% in 2006. Information on the prevalence of hypertension among adolescents is lacking.
Objective: to determine the prevalence of hypertension among Malay secondary school students in Putrajaya.
Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The sampling frame consisted of a list of all the 12 secondary schools in Putrajaya. Three schools were selected using table of random numbers. All Malay students aged 13 years old to 17 years old from the three selected school students were included in the study. Blood pressure was measured after the respondents had rested for at least 5 minutes using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. Three blood pressure measurements were taken for each respondent. Systolic blood pressure [SBP] was defined as the average of three SBP readings and diastolic blood pressure [DBP] was defined as the average of three DBP readings. Data was analyzed using SPSS 18.
Results: The overall mean SBP and DBP were 108.9 mmHg and 63.2 mmHg respectively. The prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension among the male was 16.2% and 12.9% respectively as compared to 5.8% and 10.2% respectively in the females. The overall prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 11.1% and 11.6% respectively. The prevalence increased with age (p<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between BMI and SBP (r = 0.52, r2 = 0.27, p= 0.001) and BMI and DBP (r = 0.38, r2 = 0.15, p= 0.001). The mean SBP was significantly higher in males (111.7 mmHg) as compared to 106 mmHg in females (p<0.001). The mean DBP in males (63.5 mmHg) was slightly higher as compared to 62.9 mmHg in females but the difference was not significant.
Conclusions: Prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension is high. There is an urgent need for implementation of a comprehensive CVD prevention program and routine blood pressure measurements should be taken in school children to improve the detection, prevention and treatment of hypertension
Keywords: Prevalence, Hypertension, Adolescents, Putrajaya, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury
Fulltext Relationship of Depressive Symptoms to Hypertension in a Household Survey

Lam, H.H., Ng, E.K., Ooi, A.L., Ooi, P.Y., Sellymiah, A., Siti Fareeda, A., et al.

Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 2011;20(1):1-12.
MyJurnal

Objectives: To study relationship of depressive symptoms to hypertension. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on respondents from Kampung Awal. Hypertension was defined as self-reported or by measurement using a mercury sphymomanometer and depressive symptoms were evaluated by CES-D scale. Results: A total 103 respondents were studied. The male:female ratio was 1:1.5 with mean age of 41.8 years. Majority had formal education up to secondary school. 45% were government servant and over 95% subjects had income of RM1000 or less per each family member per month. 21.4% (n=22) self-reported to have hypertension and 7.8%(n=91) met the criteria for incident hypertension. 7.8% met the criteria for both. Mean score based on CES-D was 13.08. 32.0% subjects had depression. 54 subjects reported never experienced any strain for past 6 months and 24 reported to have 2 or more .61 subjects were overweight with mean value of BMI=26.19 kg/m2. Self-reported hypertension and incident hypertension were strongly associated with age but only selfreported hypertension was strongly associated with overweight. However, there was no significant association between hypertension with chronic strains and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Depressive symptomatology was not associated with hypertension in this survey. Women had a significant risk in having depressive symptoms. Age =45 years & overweight were significant risks for hypertension. A prospective study will be more useful in the future to find out the association between depression and hypertension.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury
Fulltext Niigata Minamata disease: a revisit

Hasni MJ

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2014;14(1):47-54.
MyJurnal

Minamata disease is a well-known mercury contamination that happened in Japan in 1953. Due to demand during world war, second mercury disaster occurred in Niigata Prefecture in 1965. This is a review on the Niigata Minamata disease based on available documents and local expert opinions on the disaster. The aims of this paper are to record exposure history like the source of mercury in Agano River and specific fish that was associated with the disease. It is for an appraisal of the basic mercury exposure control, particularly to protect Japanese and world population during that time. There was indication that initial exposure limit for mercury was calculated incorrectly, and higher safe dose was applied. This epidemiological study is very useful and significant in comprehend the correct estimation of the human exposure to any hazardous substances.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury; Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System
Fulltext The status of heavy metals contamination in seafood and its products imported through the Bukit Kayu Hitam entry point

Shafie, O., Sanimah, A.R.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2002;2(1):26-30.
MyJurnal

The status ofhve l1eavy metals: cadmium, lead copper, zinc and mercury were determined in seafood and its products imported_ti·om Thailand via Bukit Kayu Hiram, Kedah, Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was used to determine the level of these heary metals except for mercury, where the cold vapor technique was used, Randomized sampling was done according to a predetermined sampling plan based on the previous years consignments. Data collected were compared with the maximum permitted level of -metal contaminants in fish and fish products- ofthe Fourteenth Schedule (Regulation 38) of Food Act I983 and Food Regulations I 985 to ascertain compliance. lt was noted form this study, that the level of metals detected in seafood and its products had a very wide range, The levels detected for cadmium was at a range of 0. 00] - 3.9/2, 0.07 — 0.29, 0,04 - 4,4 mg/kg in fish, shellfish and cuttlefish respectivelv. In general, cadmium level in some samples was notably higher particularly in shellfish. All samples had lead level less than the permitted value except for fish where the highest value detected was 3.28 mg/kg. The level of copper and zinc was higher than the permitted value in octopus, prawn and crab, Mercury level in all samples analvzed was found to be below the detection level. As for fish samples, zinc level was found to be higher whereas copper was within the limit. However, it was also noted that the level of all the heavy metals in jiozen jish was within the permitted limit.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury
Fulltext Mercury-added products management: challenges in developing countries and lessons learned from medical facility

Mohamad Mahathir Amir Sultan, Goh CT, Peterson PJ, Sharifah Ezat Wan Puteh, Mazlin Mokhtar

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2017;17(1):59-68.

The risks of mercury use have prompted the establishment of Minamata Convention on Mercury which placed strong emphasis on management of mercury-added products. This convention aims to reduce and phase out the use, manufacturing and trade of mercury-added products including batteries, switches and non-electronic measuring devices. This commitment will cause significant impacts especially in the developing countries in designing the right approach to achieve it. This is also true for medical industry which is well known for the utilization of mercury-added devices and dental amalgam in its services but had embarked on efforts in eliminating mercury for many years. The experiences learned within a medical facility can be useful in efforts to meet this global ambition of mercury phase out. This paper aims to provide conceptual discussion on the challenges faced by developing countries and lessons learned from medical facility that can helps the formulation of appropriate approaches to manage mercury-added products. The paper adopted medical industry as a case study and used document analysis to discuss the issue. The main challenges identified for developing countries include lacks of capacity, funding, data and newer technologies. Based on analysis of previous studies, this study proposed a mercury management framework in medical facility and identified the recommended practices, namely technological application, policy instrument, capacity building and guidelines development. These identified approaches are found to have specific relationships between cost and potential impacts, hence giving flexibility for adoption based on the available resources in promoting better mercury management system.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury
Fulltext Determination of the presence and levels of heavy metals and other elements in raw and commercial edible bird nests

Chen, J.X.J., Lim, P.K.C., Wong, S.F., Mak, J.W.

Malays J Nutr, 2014;20(3):377-391.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Heavy metals and other contaminants in food have been a concern to food industries, consumers and governing authorities. The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of heavy metals and other elements in edible bird nests (EBNs). Methods: Raw and processed (commercial) EBNs were used in the study. Raw EBNs were collected directly from five house farms in Peninsular Malaysia - Kuala Sanglang (Kedah), Pantai Remis (Perak), Kluang Gohor), Kota Bharu (Kelantan) and Kajang (Selangor). Processed EBNs were pmchased from five Chinese traditional medicinal shops located in Peninsular Malaysia. The levels of 32 elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and findings of the study were compared to the maximum regulatory limits set by the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) for EBNs. Results: Of the seven elements with maximum regulatory limits (As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Sn, Cu, Fe), one raw EBN was detected with mercury level of 70.180 ppb which was above the SIRIM permissible limit of 50 ppb. All the EBNs had iron levels above the SIRIM permissible limit of 30 ppb. The levels of the other 25 elements with no maximum regulatory limits (Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Se, Zn, Ag, Ba, Be, Bi, B, Li, Ni, Sb, Sr, Ti, U, V, Al, Zr) were also determined. Conclusion: The data obtained for the 25 elements with no permissible limits can serve as baseline data for further studies to establish their maximum regulatory limits.

Matched MeSH terms: Mercury

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