Samples of honey were screened to monitor residues of organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticides. The
study meant to examine the quality of honey, and to use honey as a bioindicator of environmental
contamination. Residue levels were determined by gas chromatography (GC-lECD). Samples had a wide
spectrum of organochlorine and synthetic pyrethroids pesticides, with hexachlorobenzene (HCB) as
the most frequently detected organochlorine, followed by permethrin, heptachlor epoxide. Only one
sample had a concentration of c-HCH higher than maximum residue limit of honey (0.01 mg kg1).
Residues of organochlorines detected, indicate the presence of some fresh supplies, despite the ban
imposed on their use. The study confirmed that honey bee and beehive matrices could be used as gauge
for monitoring environment contamination. From public health point of view, the observed levels of
pesticide residues in honey do not pose a serious health risk to the consumers, but raises questions of
the source of organochlorines