Determination of the Metal Contents of Honey Samples from Orumieh in Iran

Abstract

In this study the concentrations of metals in 89 different honey samples were collected, from four different areas of Orumieh City, in Iran from September of 2009 were investigated. Most of the samples were obtained from beekeepers located at a distance of 10 km from the roadside, to their accommodation. Pb, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Zn, As and Ni were detected in all of the honey samples. The contents of metals in honey samples were found to be in the range of 0.04 +/- 0.1 ppm, 0.001 +/- 0.002 ppm, 7.09 +/- 9.4 ppm, 0.6 +/- 0.9 ppm 0.06 +/- 0.1 ppm, 9.99 +/- 26.5 ppm, 0.0008 +/- 0.0011 ppm, 0.003 +/- 0.005 ppm for Pb, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Zn, As and Ni respectively. At the end of the study the Pb levels were found to be lower than the maximum residue limits of the European Union. Other metal levels were within acceptable levels. It was detected that the honey which was collected was of good quality from the point of metal contents.