Assessment of Selected heavy Metals in Honey Samples Using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Ethiopia

Abstract Honey is a natural, sugary and sticky liquid that is produced from the nectars of flowers. This study aimed to analyze the concentration of some selected heavy Metals (Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd, Pb, and Cr) in honey samples. 1g of honey sample was digested by a hot plate using 9ml of HNO3 and 3ml of H2O2. The concentrations of the heavy metals in the digested were detected using a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The results of this study found that the concentrations of the heavy metals in the honey samples were ranged from 1.97 to 2.04 µg/g for Zn, 1.93µg/g to 2µg/g for Cu, 0.83 to 1.01 µg/g for Mn, 0.25 to 0.45 µg/g for Cr, (0.025–0.031 µg/g for Cd. However, Pb was not detected in all honey samples. Hence, the levels of heavy metals found were below the permitted levels set by the World Health Organization.The contamination levels of the heavy metals are also found to be below the detection levels. The results of this study helped us to know that the acceptable amounts of heavy metals present in the honey samples. From the results, the levels of heavy metals found were below the permitted levels set by the World Health Organization. Thus, the heavy metals in the sampled honey are safe for human consumption in these selected areas.