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Heavy Metals Determination in Honey Samples Using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry Publisher



Aghamirlou HM1 ; Khadem M2 ; Rahmani A3 ; Sadeghian M4 ; Mahvi AH1, 5 ; Akbarzadeh A6 ; Nazmara S1
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Poursina St, PO BOX: 6446-14155, Keshavarz Blvd, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health and Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Center for Solid Waste Research, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  6. 6. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering Published:2015


Abstract

Abstract Background: Honey contains a complex mixture of carbohydrates and other minor substances. Elements are minor constituents of honey that may threaten the human health in excess concentrations. So, determining the metals in honey helps its quality control as a food product. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of some metals in Iranian honey. Methods: This study was performed in four regions of Ardabil, a province of Iran. Honey samples (n = 25) were digested in microwave oven by nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, then analyzed using inductively coupled plasma- optic emission spectrophotometry (ICP-OES). Results: No significant differences were observed in cadmium, zinc, nickel, and chromium levels between regions (P > 0.05). Zinc was the most abundant metal in honey samples (1481.64 μg/kg). Some metals had higher concentrations in the East region because of existence more industries there. The highest mean of lead level was 935.48 μg/kg in the East and the lowest was 205.4 μg/kg in the South region. The concentrations of metals were compared with recommended limits for foods. Some of them were higher than standard levels (lead) and some were lower than those (cadmium). Conclusions: Metals are released into the environment through their use in industrial processes and enter the food chain from uptake by plants from contaminated soil or water. Metals concentration in various places depends on many variables, leading to their different concentrations in honey. Some control measures like the quality control of food products, monitoring the soil in agricultural regions and limiting the use of fertilizers are recommended. © 2015 Aghamirlou et al.