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Volume 14
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10.3390/toxics14030229
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Article

Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination and Associated Health Risks in Honey from Kellem Wollega Zone, Ethiopia

by
Aschalew Nega Teferi
1,
Yibrehu Bogale Dibabe
2,
Abbay Gebretsadik Debalke
3,
Teshager Worku Beyene
4,
Weiying Feng
1,* and
Chiamin Ho
1
1
School of Material Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
2
Department of Chemistry, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa 138, Ethiopia
3
Department of Applied Chemistry, Adama Science and Technology University, Adama 1888, Ethiopia
4
Department of Biology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar 79, Ethiopia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Toxics 2026, 14(3), 229; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14030229
Submission received: 6 February 2026 / Revised: 4 March 2026 / Accepted: 6 March 2026 / Published: 8 March 2026
(This article belongs to the Section Metals and Radioactive Substances)
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Highlights

What are the main findings?
  • This study detected seven heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cd) in honey samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) from the Kellem Wollega Zone.
  • The concentration of lead and cadmium in the honey exceeded the safety limits established by the FAO and WHO.
  • A comprehensive health risk assessment, which found the Average Daily Dose, Target Hazard Quotient, Hazard Index, and Target Cancer Risk, revealed a significant public health concern associated with the consumption of this honey.
What are the implications of the main findings?
  • The detection of heavy metals, especially at unsafe levels in honey, is a significantly critical public health risk, demanding immediate intervention and stricter safety standards.
  • The findings expose critical gaps in local safety and environmental oversight, underscoring the urgent need for stricter pollution controls, enhanced food monitoring, and the implementation of pretreatment protocols to ensure consumer safety.

Abstract

Honey is consumed worldwide for its nutritional and medicinal value, but it can also expose people to toxic metals from environmental contamination. This study analyzes heavy metal levels and assesses health risks using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) in honey collected from three areas in the Kellem Wollega Zone, Ethiopia: Dambi Dollo, Gawo Kebe, and Anafilo. The concentrations followed the order: Zn > Fe > Pb > Mn > Cu > Ni > Cd. Notably, Pb and Cd levels exceeded the WHO/FAO maximum permissible limits. The assessment of non-carcinogenic health risks for adult consumers based on the average daily dose, target hazard quotient, and hazard index indicated that all calculated values were below the critical threshold of 1. This result suggests that honey consumption poses no significant non-carcinogenic risk. In contrast, the estimated target cancer risk and cumulative cancer risk (∑TCR) exceeded safety thresholds, indicating potential moderate lifetime carcinogenic risk from chronic exposure. Likely sources of high metal levels include local mining activities, agricultural inputs, and improper honey storage. Consequently, these findings highlight the need for continuous environmental monitoring, stricter regulations, and improved apicultural practices to ensure honey safety and protect public health.
Keywords: carcinogenic risk; environmental contamination; heavy metals; honey; non-carcinogenic risk carcinogenic risk; environmental contamination; heavy metals; honey; non-carcinogenic risk
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MDPI and ACS Style

Teferi, A.N.; Dibabe, Y.B.; Debalke, A.G.; Beyene, T.W.; Feng, W.; Ho, C. Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination and Associated Health Risks in Honey from Kellem Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. Toxics 2026, 14, 229. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14030229

AMA Style

Teferi AN, Dibabe YB, Debalke AG, Beyene TW, Feng W, Ho C. Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination and Associated Health Risks in Honey from Kellem Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. Toxics. 2026; 14(3):229. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14030229

Chicago/Turabian Style

Teferi, Aschalew Nega, Yibrehu Bogale Dibabe, Abbay Gebretsadik Debalke, Teshager Worku Beyene, Weiying Feng, and Chiamin Ho. 2026. "Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination and Associated Health Risks in Honey from Kellem Wollega Zone, Ethiopia" Toxics 14, no. 3: 229. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14030229

APA Style

Teferi, A. N., Dibabe, Y. B., Debalke, A. G., Beyene, T. W., Feng, W., & Ho, C. (2026). Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination and Associated Health Risks in Honey from Kellem Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. Toxics, 14(3), 229. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14030229

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