title: Residues of organochlorine and synthetic pyrethroid pesticides in honey, an indicator of ambient environment, a pilot study.
abstract: 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 (0.01 mg kg(-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.
authors.affiliation: Pesticide Residues and Environmental Pollution Department, Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza 12618, Egypt. Electronic address: fmmalhat@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Farag M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Malhat
authors.affiliation: Pesticide Residues and Environmental Pollution Department, Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza 12618, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Haggag
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt.
authors.forename: Naglaa M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Loutfy
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed A M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Osman
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt. Electronic address: motawfic@tedata.net.eg.
authors.forename: Mohamed Tawfic
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006722:Honey / Q000032:analysis*; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis*; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007306:Insecticides; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D011722:Pyrethrins
keywords: Bioindicator; Gas chromatography; Honey; Pesticides; Pollution; Residues