The Importance of Measuring Arsenic in Honey, Water, and PM10 for Food Safety as an Environmental Study: Experience from the Mining and Metallurgical Districts of Bor, Serbia

Arsenic and toxic metals can reach food and honey through water and air, thus endangering the safe consumption of the same. These toxic substances can damage human health through the food chain, which is contrary to the goals of sustainability related to health and food safety. It is necessary to co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sustainability 2022-10, Vol.14 (19), p.12446
Main Authors: Sovrlić, Zorica, Tošić, Snežana, Kovačević, Renata, Jovanović, Violeta, Krstić, Vesna
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arsenic
Environmental protection
Environmental studies
Food chains
Food contamination & poisoning
Food safety
Food security
Heavy metals
Honey
Industrial development
Mercury
Metals
Mining
Mining accidents & safety
Outdoor air quality
Particulate matter
Plant reproduction
Pollutants
Pollution
Public health
Rice
Safety
Statistical analysis
Sustainability
Sustainable development
Toxic substances
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Summary:Arsenic and toxic metals can reach food and honey through water and air, thus endangering the safe consumption of the same. These toxic substances can damage human health through the food chain, which is contrary to the goals of sustainability related to health and food safety. It is necessary to continuously control and measure the concentration of pollutants to ensure the safety of food produced near mining areas. The arsenic content of honey samples from a territory up to 32 km in diameter from the mine (Bor town, east Serbia, and its surroundings), as determined by ICP-MS, is presented in this paper. PM10 particles and water were also analyzed for arsenic content. Pearson’s correlation and hierarchical cluster analysis were used for statistical analysis. The obtained results showed that the content of arsenic in honey was below the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) value. The honey was not contaminated, although the results showed that the concentrations of arsenic in water and PM10 particles were elevated. The results indicate that the environment in these areas is damaged and point towards caution.
ISSN:2071-1050
2071-1050
DOI:10.3390/su141912446