Residues of organochlorine and synthetic pyrethroid pesticides in honey, an indicator of ambient environment, a pilot study

•This paper is presenting some new ideas of monitoring pesticides contamination in the environment.•It is the first time to use this approach in Egypt. Samples of honey were screened to monitor residues of organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticides. The study meant to examine the quality of honey, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemosphere (Oxford) 2015-02, Vol.120, p.457-461
Main Authors: Malhat, Farag M., Haggag, Mohamed N., Loutfy, Naglaa M., Osman, Mohamed A.M., Ahmed, Mohamed Tawfic
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Apis mellifera
Bees
Bioindicator
Chromatography, Gas
Contamination
Environmental Monitoring
Gages
Gas chromatography
Gauges
Honey
Honey - analysis
Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated - analysis
Insecticides - analysis
Monitors
Pesticide Residues - analysis
Pesticides
Pilot Projects
Pollution
Pyrethrins - analysis
Residues
Risk
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Summary:•This paper is presenting some new ideas of monitoring pesticides contamination in the environment.•It is the first time to use this approach in Egypt. Samples of honey were screened to monitor residues of organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticides. The study meant to examine the quality of honey, and to use honey as a bioindicator of environmental contamination. Residue levels were determined by gas chromatography (GC-μECD). Samples had a wide spectrum of organochlorine and synthetic pyrethroids pesticides, with hexachlorobenzene (HCB) as the most frequently detected organochlorine, followed by permethrin, heptachlor epoxide. Only one sample had a concentration of γ-HCH higher than maximum residue limit of honey (0.01mgkg−1). Residues of organochlorines detected, indicate the presence of some fresh supplies, despite the ban imposed on their use. The study confirmed that honey bee and beehive matrices could be used as gauge for monitoring environment contamination. From public health point of view, the observed levels of pesticide residues in honey do not pose a serious health risk to the consumers, but raises questions of the source of organochlorines.
ISSN:0045-6535
1879-1298
DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.08.032