Dong-A University Professor Lee Seungho and PhD Student Min Jaehee Publish Paper in SCI Journal

Measurement of Group 1 Carcinogen Nickel in Biological Samples

"Need to Establish Nickel Exposure Standards"

Dong-A University (President Lee Haeu) announced on the 27th that a research team led by Professor Lee Seungho and Ph.D. candidate Min Jaehee from the Department of Preventive Medicine at the College of Medicine has published a paper in the SCI-level journal ‘Environmental Science and Pollution Research (IF: 5.8, Quartile: Q1)’.

The paper, titled ‘Characterization of nickel levels considering seasonal and intra-individual variation using three biological matrices,’ lists Professor Lee as the corresponding author and Min Jaehee as the first author.

Other contributors from the Department of Preventive Medicine at Dong-A University College of Medicine include Professors Hong Youngseup, Kim Byungkwon, Son Hyunjin, and researchers Lim Hyunju and Kang Minkyeong.

In this study, the research team measured levels of nickel, a heavy metal with proven carcinogenicity, in biological samples and found that the concentrations among domestic subjects were much higher than those abroad. They also confirmed that seasonal factors influence the levels of nickel in the body.

Unlike other heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, monitoring studies on nickel have not been widely conducted worldwide. In particular, this is the first domestic study to repeatedly monitor nickel levels in various biological samples, making it noteworthy.

A member of the research team explained, “Nickel is a heavy metal classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and poses a significant health risk. Given that domestic concentrations are higher than those abroad, there is a need to establish exposure standards for nickel.”

They added, “This study is significant as it provides important baseline data in a situation where research on nickel is lacking. International institutions have also shown interest in these findings, and further research on internal toxicity and exposure standards for nickel is expected in the future.”

Professor Lee Seungho (left) of the Department of Preventive Medicine, Dong-A University College of Medicine, and PhD candidate Min Jaehee.