Lead (Pb) contents of honey produced in Van region n

In the present study that aimed to determine Van Region honey lead (Pb) content, honey samples were collected in the Hizan district of Bitlis province, which is a significant beekeeping region in Turkey and Gürpınar, Gevaş, Çatak, and İpekyolu districts after the 2018 beekeeping season. A total of 19 honey samples were collected with honeycombs to prevent possible contamination during filtration. Sample lead (Pb) content was determined with an ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer) device. In the study, the lowest and highest lead content was measured as 0.11 mg/kg and 0.95 mg/kg respectively, while the mean lead content was 0.45 ppm in all samples. The European Union established the Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) for food contaminants in the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 and determined the lead limit for honey as 0.10 mg/kg. The fact that the lead content obtained in the present study was higher when compared to the European Union limit was not consistent with the general belief that environmental pollutants were not present in the region. Thus, it was revealed that the producers should consider the seasonal colony movements, while the present study findings also demonstrated that the debated limit values should be reevaluated.