Speciation analysis of arsenic in honey using HPLC-ICP-MS and health risk assessment of water-soluble arsenic

It is well known that arsenic is one of the most toxic elements. However, measuring total arsenic content is not enough, as it occurs in various forms that vary in toxicity. Since honey can be used as a bioindicator of environmental pollution, in the present study the concentration of arsenic and its species (As(III), As(V), DMA, MMA and AsB) was determined in honey samples from mostly Poland and Ukraine using HPLC-ICP-MS hyphenated technique. The accuracy of proposed methods of sample preparation and analysis was validated by analyzing certified reference materials. Arsenic concentration in honey samples ranged from 0.12 to 13μgkg-1, with mean value of 2.3μgkg-1. Inorganic arsenic forms, which are more toxic, dominated in honey samples, with Polish honey having the biggest mean percentage of inorganic arsenic species, and Ukrainian honey having the lowest. Furthermore, health risks resulting from the consumption of arsenic via honey were assessed. All Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values, for total water-soluble arsenic and for each form, were below 1, and all Carcinogenic Risk (CR) values were below 10-4, which indicates no potential health risks associated with consumption of arsenic via honey at average or recommended levels.