Abstract

Four heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As, and Hg) in 38 species (total 325 samples) of oriental animality medicines were monitored by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and automatic mercury analyzer (AMA). The detected concentration range of Pb, Cd, As was presented as 0.02 ㎍ ㎏⁻¹ (D.L)~11.29 ㎎ ㎏⁻¹, 0.01 ㎍ ㎏⁻¹ (D.L)~2.50 ㎎ ㎏⁻¹, 0.12 ㎍ ㎏⁻¹ (D.L)~5.27 ㎎ ㎏⁻¹, respectively. In case of Hg, it the concentration range was 0.01~77.11 ㎎ ㎏⁻¹ except one sample which exceeded detection limit. In all samples of Amydae Carapax and Gallnut, it was not detected over the maximum residue limits of metals. Pb is in charge of the greatest portion of contamination in 22 species of animality medicines, and in case of Hg, 54.46% of total samples were over the maximum residue limits. Therefore, environmental levels of Pb and Hg are needed to continue the researches and the studies for tracking pollution source are required.