Toxic Elements in Honeys of Different Geographical Origin: From Poland Versus from Algeria

Natural honey is a widely consumed product in various cultures. Owing to the foraging behaviour of bees and the unique production process of honey, this matrix serves as a critical tool for environmental biomonitoring. The aim of this study was to assess the content of selected toxic elements, specifically cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg), in honeys from Poland and Algeria. Additionally, the existence of health risks associated with long-term consumption was assessed. The As, Cd, and Pb content was determined using ICP-MS after prior microwave digestion of the samples in a closed system. Hg content was determined directly using the AAS method with the amalgamation technique. A total of 41 honey samples from Algeria and Poland were analysed. The content of the tested toxic elements in most samples was low. The results obtained for Pb were compared to applicable standards; exceedances for Pb were observed in 7% of the samples. Despite this, the estimated exposure did not indicate a significant health risk to consumers. The above data indicate that honey is not only a valuable nutritional product but also represents an important bioindicator of environmental pollution.