J Korean Diet Assoc.  2023 Aug;29(3):140-156. 10.14373/JKDA.2023.29.3.140.

Estimation of Mercury Exposure from School Meals for Lower Grades of Elementary Schools in Korea

• Yoo BY
• Park K

• KMID: 2546529
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14373/JKDA.2023.29.3.140

Abstract

Children are very sensitive to exposure to heavy metals such as mercury which can accumulate in the body. Exposure to even low concentrations of such metals is reported to be very harmful to health. An evaluation of the mercury content of meals in public elementary schools could provide information which could be used to reduce this level. Two public elementary schools were selected from 16 cities and provinces. The meals provided were analyzed in the third week of spring, summer, fall, and winter. The average mercury allowance per meal was calculated using the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) established by the government. The number of instances of excess content observed was compared by region based on the mercury allowance per meal, and the frequency of use of mercury-containing marine products that cause the excessive levels was identified. The results of analyzing a total of 575 menus revealed that the use of marine and processed marine products with a high mercury content was more in the coastal areas. The mercury content in school meals was also higher in coastal areas than in inland areas. Conversely, in inland areas, the frequency of intake of marine products and marine products with a high mercury content was low, and the amount of mercury intake in school meals was also correspondingly low. In conclusion, this study intended to provide information that could be used to make school meal menus safer. This data can be used to replace school meal menus with high mercury content in coastal areas with menus with low mercury content.

Keyword

mercury content; elementary school meals for lower grade; heavy metals; mercury; school meal; children; menu