Abstract: In order to explore the content and exposure risk of lead (Pb) in honey in Shandong Province, 3 main varieties of honey, including acacia honey, vitex honey and jujube honey, were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry from 2014 to 2016. It was shown that the lead concentration of honey in Shandong Province declined year by year. However, Pb content in honey of Qingdao, Weihai, Heze, Linyi exceeded the standard of EU. The different varieties of honey collected from the same year had no significant difference on Pb content, suggesting that Pb concentration in honey was not related to the type of nectar plant. Pb concentration of honey collected within 5 km nearby traffic line was higher than that collected 5 km away from traffic line, indicating that motor vehicle exhaust had a certain impact on Pb content. The exposure risk of lead in honey was acceptable to all population, but the risk for female was higher than male. At the same time, children under 10 years old had the highest exposure risk.

Key words: honey, lead content, risk assessment, Shandong Province