12 Years of honey surveys in northern Italy: How anthropic activities can influence honey quality

Marina Tesauro; Giada Moroni; Vorne Gianelle; Michela Consonni; Fabio Petrelli; Beniamino Tovagliari

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121940

12 Years of honey surveys in northern Italy: How anthropic activities can influence honey quality

Environ Pollut. 2023 Aug 15;331(Pt 1):121940. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121940. Epub 2023 May 30.

Authors

Marina Tesauro¹, Giada Moroni², Vorne Gianelle³, Michela Consonni⁴, Fabio Petrelli⁵, Beniamino Tovagliari⁶

Affiliations

¹ University of Milan, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences Via Carlo Pascal, 36, 20133, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: marina.tesauro@unimi.it.
² University of Milan, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences Via Carlo Pascal, 36, 20133, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: giada.moroni@hotmail.it.
³ Environmental Protection Agency of Lombardy Department of Milan and Monza, Via Juvarra, 22, 20129, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: v.gianelle@arpalombardia.it.
⁴ University of Milan, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences Via Carlo Pascal, 36, 20133, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: michela.consonni@unimi.it.
⁵ University of Camerino, School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, Via Madonna Delle Carceri, 9, 62032, Camerino, Italy. Electronic address: fabio.petrelli@unicam.it.
⁶ Health Protection Agency for the Metropolitan City of Milan Veterinary Department of the West Milan District Piazza Mazzini, 43, 20020, Castano Primo, Italy. Electronic address: Btovagliari@ats-milano.it.

PMID: 37263562
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121940

Abstract

Bees and hive products, such as honey, can act as indicators of environmental quality. Our research aimed to evaluate historical data of honey quality in Lombardy (Northern Italy) and consider the possible sources of air contamination that can influence it. We collected analytical data from the local Health Protection Agency on residues of 57 honey samples from 2011 to 2022, comparing a rural area and an industrial area. At the same time, we consulted estimated air emissions in the same areas through the INEMAR database used by the local Environmental Protection Agency. Data revealed antibiotic contamination in one case and, regarding heavy metals, lead contamination in several samples in the industrial area. Pb contamination could derive from multiple sources. The INEMAR database permitted us to hypothesize that combustion in industry and road transportation could have a role in honey contamination, being among the main sources of Pb emission in that area.

Keywords: Air pollution; Antibiotic; Heavy metals; Honey; Indicator.

MeSH terms

Animals
Bees
Environmental Monitoring
Environmental Pollutants* / analysis
Honey* / analysis
Italy
Lead
Metals, Heavy* / analysis

Substances

Lead
Environmental Pollutants
Metals, Heavy