Residues of Pesticides and Heavy Metals in Polish Varietal Honey

Abstract

The levels of chemical pollutants were determined in 30 samples of varietal honey from southeastern Poland, including 223 pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, acaricides, plant growth regulators, and veterinary drugs) and 5 heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cu, and Zn). In 10% of the samples, no pesticide residues were found. The most frequently identified pesticides were thiacloprid (90% of the samples, max 0.337 mg/kg), acetamiprid (86.6%, max 0.061 mg/kg), carbendazim (60%, max 0.049 mg/kg), DMF (56.6%, max 0.038 mg/kg), total amitraz (53.3%, max 0.075 mg/kg), thiamethoxam (26.6%, max 0.004 mg/kg), thiacloprid-amide (13.3%, max 0.012 mg/kg), dimethoate (10%, max 0.003 mg/kg), azoxystrobin (10%, max 0.002 mg/kg), tebuconazole (6.66%, max 0.002 mg/kg), and boscalid (3.33%, max 0.001 mg/kg). The acceptable limits for the compounds were not exceeded in any sample. The Pb content ranged between 0.044 and 0.081 mg/kg. The concentration of Hg and Cd did not exceed 5.0 µg/kg and 0.02 mg/kg, respectively. The honey variety significantly (p < 0.01) influenced the content of Cu, which ranged from 0.504 (rapeseed honey) to 1.201 mg/kg (buckwheat). A similar tendency (p > 0.05) was observed for the Zn content, which ranged from 0.657 mg/kg (linden) to 2.694 mg/kg (buckwheat). Honey produced in southeastern Poland was shown to be safe for human consumption.

Adult Honeybees and Beeswax as Indicators of Trace Elements Pollution in a Vulnerable Environment: Distribution among Different Apicultural Compartments

“…According to the results, the maximum concentration of Pb was 133 µg/kg, while the highest concentrations of As and Cd were 30 and 3.3 µg/kg, respectively [ 10 ]. Recently, similar observations for Cd (<LOQ), Pb (44–81 µg/kg) and Hg not exceeding 5 µg/kg were also reported in Polish varietal honey [ 33 ].…”

Comparative evaluation of neonicotinoids and their metabolites-induced oxidative stress in carp primary leukocytes and CLC cells

“…Importantly, these metabolites are assumed to have similar carcinogenic properties and toxicity as THI, which has been classified as a category 2 carcinogen according to the regulation of the European Parliament and labeled as potentially toxic for reproduction in humans 66 , 67 .…”

Microbiological Quality of Polish Artisanal Varietal Honeys

“…The average forest cover of the region is about 25% (slightly lower than the national average), which is related to the high fertility of soils, with a preference for their agricultural use. The geographical origin of honeys was described in detail by Kędzierska-Matysek et al [ 16 ]. The honeys were stored in airtight glass jars, without exposure to sunlight at a room temperature of 20 °C (±2 °C).…”