- P-ISSN 1225-0163
- E-ISSN 2288-8985
This paper reports on the monitoring results of some heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As and Hg) in oriental mineral medicines. Levels of Pb, Cd and As were determined using the acid digestion method and ICP-MS. Hg levels were determined using the gold amalgamation method and Automatic mercury analyzer (AMA). The results indicated that, in the case of Pb, 25.81% (24 cases) of the samples were over MRL (5 mg/kg). Pb levels in Calamina, Pumex, and Cinnabaris exceeded MRL (5 mg/kg). In the case of Cd, 9.68% (17cases) of the samples were over MRL (0.3 mg/kg). Cd levels in Calamina, Pumex and Cinnabaris were exceeded MRL (0.3 mg/kg). In case of As, 24.73% (23 cases) of samples exceeded MRL (3 mg/kg). As levels in Calamina, Lithargyrum, Vermilionum, Cinnabaris and Chalcocitum exceeded MRL (3 mg/kg). In the case of Hg, it was shown that the 76.34% (78 cases) of the samples exceeded MRL (0.2 mg/kg). Hg levels in almost all the samples exceeded MRL (0.2 mg/kg). These results led us to recommend that the domestic commercial law to be legislated to ensure the quality estimation and safety of oriental mineral medicines.
1. E. D. Caldas and L. L. Machado, Food and Chemical Toxicology, 42, 599-603(2004).
2. P. W. Woods, Essence 30, 42-46(1999).
3. I. A. Khan, J. Allgood, L. A. Walker, E. A. Abourashed,D. Schelenk and W. H. Beson, J. AOAC International 84, 936-939(2001).
4. C.-G. Yuan, J.-B. Shi, B.-H. Liu, J.-F. Liang, L.-N.Liang and G.-B. Jiang, Environment International, 307,69-783(2004).
5. A. M. O. Ajasa, M. O. Bello, A. O. Ibrahim, I. A.Ogunwande and N. O. Olawore, Food Chemistry, 85, 67-71(2004).
6. M. J. Stewart, J. J. Moar, P. Steenkamp and M. Kakot, Forensic Science International 101, 177-183(1999).
7. E. Ernst, Pharmacological Sciences, 23, 136-139(2002).
8. S. Tong, von Y. E. Schirnding and T. Prapamontol,Bulletin of the World Health Organization 78, 1068-1077(2000).
9. G. Nordberg, Toxicology and Pharmacology, 30, S57-S62(1999).
10. R. Chizzola and C. Franz, J. Appl. Bot. 70, 52-26(1996).
11. V. Rai, P. Kaffar, S. Khatoon, A. K. S. Rawat and S.Mehrotra, Pharmaceut. Biol. 39, 384-387(2001).
12. V. Rai, M. Agarwal, Khatoon, A. K. S. Rawat and S.Mehrotra, Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 66, 427-432(2001).
13. S. K. Srivastava, V. R. M. Srivastava, A. K. S. RAWAT and S. Mehrotra., Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 116, 315-320(2006)