In the present chemical study of honey produced in Siena County (Tuscany, Italy), we determined the element
composition of honey samples of different botanical and
geographical origins. Herein we report the concentrations
of 23 chemical elements determined in 51 honey samples.
The aims of the study were: (i) to chemically characterize
the honey samples; (ii) to define the honey quality with
regard to several toxic trace elements, such as lead, arsenic,
antimony and cadmium; (iii) to highlight possible relationships between the element composition of honey and its
botanical and/or geographical origin; (iv) to identify possible pollution sources in the area surrounding the hives or
problems linked to the processing phases.