Minor and trace-elements in apiary products from a historical mining district (Les Malines, France)

The trace-elements (TE) contents of honey, royal-jelly and beeswax from a historical Zn-Pb mining district have been investigated to assess potential contamination. In spite of high levels of heavy metal (As, Cd, Tl, Pb) in wastes left after mining stopped, apiary products appear to be relatively free of TE contamination. For honey, the following average levels (±standard error) were observed: Zn 571 ± 440 μg kg−1, Pb 26 ± 20 μg kg−1, Tl 13 ± 10 μg kg−1, Cd 7 ± 6 μg kg−1 and As 3 ± 4 μg.kg−1. These results bring additional data to the potential impact of brownfields left after mining on apiary products. They also bring new data to assess potential risks linked with honey consumption and discuss legal TE contents in honey and other food products from apiaries.