Human Exposure and Health Risk Assessment of Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead in Monofloral Acacia Honey from Himalayan region of Kashmir, India.

This study assesses human exposure and associated health risks from toxic heavy metals in monofloral Acacia honey produced in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, India. Honey samples were collected from ten sites across six districts in central and south Kashmir, with triplicate sampling at each location. A total of sixteen elements were analyzed, including key toxic metals—arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb). Human health risk was evaluated using Estimated Daily Dose (EDD), Hazard Quotient (HQ), Hazard Index (HI), and Total Carcinogenic Risk (TCR) models following United States Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. Mean concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb were 0.0045, 0.014, and 0.40 mg/L, respectively, with Pb showing comparatively higher levels. HI values for both adults and children were below the safety threshold (HI < 1), indicating negligible non-carcinogenic risk; however, children exhibited greater susceptibility. Adult HI ranged from 0.0127 to 0.0648, while for children it ranged from 0.0298 to 0.1314. TCR values across all sites fell within the acceptable range (10⁻⁶–10⁻⁴), indicating low to moderate lifetime cancer risk. Physicochemical parameters were within standard limits, supporting honey quality. Overall, Acacia honey from Kashmir poses minimal health risk and serves as a reliable bioindicator of environmental contamination.