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Heavy Metal Content in PolyfloralHoney and Potential Health Risk. A Case Study of Copșa Mică, Romania

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  • Szilárd Bartha

    (Department of Forestry and Forest Engineering, University of Oradea, Gen. Magheru Street nr. 26, 410048 Oradea, Romania)

  • Ioan Taut

    (National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry “Marin Drăcea” S.C.D.E.P., 400202 Cluj, Romania
    University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Győző Goji

    (Technological High School Ştefan Manciulea, 515400 Blaj, Romania)

  • Ioana Andra Vlad

    (Department of Food Engineering, University of Oradea, Gen. Magheru Street nr. 26, 410048 Oradea, Romania)

  • Florin Dinulică

    (Department of Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brașov, Sirul Beethoven Street nr.1, 500123 Brașov, Romania)

Abstract

Honey is both a complex food and medicine as well as a healthy alternative to refined sugar. Besides a complex mixture of carbohydrates, honey contains other minor substances which may threaten human health in excess concentrations. Several environmental conditions can affect the quality of honey. This research paper aims to measure the degree of heavy metals (Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn), and Copper (Cu)) in some polyfloral honey from an industrial area of Romania, considered to be one of the most polluted regions in Eastern Europe. The samples were collected from six stationary apiaries and analysed using the atomic absorption spectrometry method. The content of Pb was higher in the sampling areas exposed directly to the polluted air masses. Cd concentration decreases exponentially while Cu concentration increases as the distance from the source of pollution increases. The checking of the quality of polyfloral honey from local producers is imperative because this product is intended to be consumed by the beekeeper’s family or the local community without being sold to an authorised processor. The results of the study can help to set a threshold for the concentration of Pb and Cd in honey marketed in the European Union.

Suggested Citation

  • Szilárd Bartha & Ioan Taut & Győző Goji & Ioana Andra Vlad & Florin Dinulică, 2020. "Heavy Metal Content in PolyfloralHoney and Potential Health Risk. A Case Study of Copșa Mică, Romania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:5:p:1507-:d:325424
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gang Liang & Wenwen Gong & Bingru Li & Jimin Zuo & Ligang Pan & Xinhui Liu, 2019. "Analysis of Heavy Metals in Foodstuffs and an Assessment of the Health Risks to the General Public via Consumption in Beijing, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-10, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. David Quiralte & Inmaculada Zarzo & Maria-Angeles Fernandez-Zamudio & Héctor Barco & Jose M. Soriano, 2023. "Urban Honey: A Review of Its Physical, Chemical, and Biological Parameters That Connect It to the Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-11, February.
    2. Natasha L. Hungerford & Ujang Tinggi & Benjamin L. L. Tan & Madeleine Farrell & Mary T. Fletcher, 2020. "Mineral and Trace Element Analysis of Australian/Queensland Apis mellifera Honey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Cristina Hegedus & Simona-Nicoleta Pașcalău & Luisa Andronie & Ancuţa-Simona Rotaru & Alexandra-Antonia Cucu & Daniel Severus Dezmirean, 2023. "The Journey of 1000 Leagues towards the Decontamination of the Soil from Heavy Metals and the Impact on the Soil–Plant–Animal–Human Chain Begins with the First Step: Phytostabilization/Phytoextraction," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-49, March.
    4. Atanas Atanasov & Ivaylo Hristakov & Gergana Kuncheva & Milan Koszel & Veselin Dochev, 2023. "Assessment of heavy metals in soil, oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and honey," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 69(8), pages 400-407.
    5. Vaida Šerevičienė & Aušra Zigmontienė & Dainius Paliulis, 2022. "Heavy Metals in Honey Collected from Contaminated Locations: A Case of Lithuania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-11, July.
    6. Małgorzata Gałczyńska & Renata Gamrat & Mateusz Bosiacki & Zofia Sotek & Małgorzata Stasińska & Ireneusz Ochmian, 2021. "Micro and Macroelements in Honey and Atmospheric Pollution (NW and Central Poland)," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-23, August.

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