Contmination of heavy metals and radionuclides in the honey with different production origin

Abstract

We reported the results of monitoring of heavy metals and radionuclides in the honey with different production origin from three southern regions of Odessa region (Ukraine). We founded Lead, Cadmium and 137Cs content in the samples (n=60) according to applicable domestic and international standarts. Our data allow us to conclude the safety and quality of the product. Using the atomic absorption spectrometer, we founded that the sunflower honey samples were characterized by the highest levels of Lead and Cadmium – 0.24±0.01 and 0.03±0.001 mg/kg respectively. At the same time, the Lead content in the samples was within 0.13±0.01–0.24±0.01 mg/kg and Cadmium was 0.02±0.001–0.03±0.001 mg/kg. However, even minimal amounts of heavy metals indicated their active circulation in the environment, because there are no large industrial productions in the areas which were studied. Our research confirmed the importance of continuously monitoring of the radionuclides content, in particular 137Cs, in bee honey. The content of 137Cs in the bee honey samples was significantly lower than the maximum permissible values, however, within the limits, while the highest values were obtained in the polyfloral and acacia honey – respectively 6.9±0.37 and 6.3±0.36 Bq/kg, We also registered the smallest content of the radionuclides 137Cs in the sampkes of the sunflower bee honey. Thus, the 137Cs content was 3.9±0.35 Bq/kg in this group of samples. We associated this with the absence of agrotechnical measures in honey crops areas. In addition, the lower 137Cs content may be related to the radionuclide ingress and distribution whithn the honey plant. In general, the radionuclide content of the honey samples was within 3.9±0.35–6.9±0.37 Bq/kg.