Radioactivity and heavy metal concentrations in various honey samples

Abstract

In this study, the contents of natural radionuclide K-40 and fission product Cs-137 in floral honey samples from Rize and some other cities in Turkey, were investigated. the results indicated that 80% of honey samples were contaminated by Cs-137, but in 50% of contaminated samples the content was lower than 10 Bq/kg. the found activities of Cs-137 in honey samples did not exceed the highest permitted level of the radionuclide for food and only slightly contributed to the natural radioactivity of honey. in addition, the contents of heavy metals like cadmium, chrome, iron, lead, zinc, copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese in honey samples were analysed using ICP-OES. Consequently, these results indicate that mean intake of heavy metals due to daily honey consumption is generally tolerable and fairly satisfactory.