Assessment of Lead and Mercury Exposure Levels in the General Population of Korea Using Integrated National Biomonitoring Data

Abstract

In Korea, the estimated values of blood lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) levels differ between two national-level biomonitors, namely the Korean National Environmental Health Survey and the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The present study used integrated data from these surveys to estimate the representative values of the change in concentration and recent distribution characteristics. The yearly trend of age-standardized exposure levels in regular adults was identified, and the geometric mean (GM) adjusted according to demographic characteristics was presented. Age-standardized GM for blood Pb and Hg in the integrated data was 2.06 and 3.64 μg/L in 2008, respectively, which decreased to 1.55 and 2.92 μg/L, respectively, by 2017. Adjusted GMs from most recently conducted surveys (2015–2017) were 1.61 and 2.98 μg/L for blood Pb and Hg, respectively. In particular, the adjusted percentage of blood Hg exceeding the reference value of 5 μg/L was 20.79%. While the blood Pb and Hg exposure levels are decreasing in Korea, the levels remain high relative to those in other countries. The Hg levels exceeded the reference value in many individuals. Therefore, continued biomonitoring must be conducted, and a reduction plan and exposure management are needed for harmful metals, including Hg.