Competitive ELISA methods were used to measure the level of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) from urine in 1008 Korean adults. Subjects were selected by random sampling in all areas of Korea, except Cheju-do. The recovery rate of AFM1 using this method was 105% (73-124%). The geometric mean of urinary AFM1 in all subjects was 3.43 pg/mL (3.67 ng/g creatinine). The level of AFM1 in males was statistically higher, compared with female subjects. However, the levels of AFM1 did not differ according to age. Subjects in Chungbuk-do showed the highest urinary AFM1 concentration, whereas subjects in Kyeongnam-do showed the lowest concentration. Assuming an excretion rate of 5%, this AFM1 excretion corresponds to approximately 0.1 microgram/day in Korean adults.

• Yong-Dae Kim(Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University) Corresponding author
• Hyojin Kwon(Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University)
• Sun-In Moon(Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University)
• Sang-Yong Eom(Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University)
• Jung-Duk Park(Department of Preventive Medicine, Chung-Ang University, College of Medicine/Shool of Medicine)
• Byung-Sun Choi(Department of Preventive Medicine, Chung-Ang University, College of Medicine/Shool of Medicine)
• Seok-Joon Sohn(Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University, Medical School)
• Young-Seoub Hong(Department of Preventive Medicine, Dong-A University, College of Medicine)
• Ho Kim(Department Public Health Statistics, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
• Ho-Jang Kwon(Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine)
• Ji-Ae Lim(Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine)
• Hae-Jung Yoon(Risk Analysis & Research Divison, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation)
• Gwang-Jin Kim(Risk Analysis & Research Divison, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation)
• Heon Kim(Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University)