Determination of lead and cadmium contents in autumn and spring honey in Delfan, Lorestan

Among the environmental pollutants, heavy metals are very dangerous for human health.  The present study aimed to determine the amount of lead and cadmium in the fall of 2017 and spring of 2018 kinds of honey in Lorestan. Sixty honey samples were collected randomly from the central, Kakavand and Kaveh areas of Delfan city of Lorestan. The samples were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Lead and cadmium were determined in all samples. The maximum levels of lead and cadmium in samples were 32.2 and 0.32 µg/kg respectively.  The mean concentration of lead in spring and autumn honey in the central part was 21.57 ± 2.84 and 28.83 ± 2.47, in Kakavand was 10.8 ± 1.3 and 13.66 ± 1.89 and in Khaveh was 7.72 ± 1.76 and 16.44 ± 1.55 µg/kg respectively. In Khaveh, the amount of lead in the honey sampled during spring was significantly lower than in other areas (p<0.05).  The mean concentration of cadmium in spring and autumn honey in the central part was 0.13 ± 0.02 and 0.26 ± 0.03, in Kakavand was 0.11 ± 0.014 and 0.18 ± 0.02 and in Khaveh was 0.04 ± 0.02 and 0.08 ± 0.01 µg/kg respectively. The amount of cadmium in the spring honey of Khaveh was significantly lower than in other areas (p<0.05). Due to lower levels of lead and cadmium in the spring and autumn samples produced in Delfan city, compared to international standards, it could be concluded that consumption of these honey is safe, in terms of lead and cadmium metals.