Evaluation of Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Honeys from Different Origins

Abstract

A survey of honey samples from different geographical and botanical origins, including some samples collected from a fire-affected area in Spain, was conducted to assess their content of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The levels of the determined toxic elements (Pb, Cd, As, and Sn) were low and were in the range of those reported by other studies. In our work the total amount of heavy metals and Pb was higher in dark honeys than in pale honeys. In the collected samples, no detectable levels of the 15 PAHs studied were found. The obtained data served to assess the levels of heavy metals and PAHs in honey samples from different geographical and environmental origins and to contribute to the scarce data about pollutant content of this matrix. In light of these results, the analyzed samples do not pose any serious concern to human health, and the data obtained in this study could serve to contribute to the establishment of specific maximum limits for honey.