Evidence for the safety of coumaphos, diazinon and malathion residues in honey.

Residue levels of coumaphos, diazinon and malathion in honey were analysed in 177 samples of honey collected from different regions of Lugo in NW Spain in 1988-1990. One has to expect some of them as residues in honey, even if employed properly, for example coumaphos used against the parasitic mite Varroa jacobsoni. Honey samples were extracted with acetonitrile:water (2:1 v/v), partitioned with petroleum-ether, cleaned up with a manual Florisil column or Florisil Sep-Pack, evaporated to dryness, redissolved in an appropriate volume (1 mL) and then analyzed by GLC with a silica capillary column and nitrogen-phosphorus detector. Recoveries of coumaphos, diazinon and malathion varied between 80-97%. One hundred forty-eight samples contained no detectable residues, while 29 had residues of coumaphos and diazinon in ppb levels. These residues are minimal and when eating honey are harmless for the health of human beings.