Scientists Find Alarming Effect of Forever Chemicals in Honeybees
Toxic “forever chemicals” can accumulate in honeybee colonies and transfer to their honey, and potentially threaten food security and human health, Australian scientists warn in a new study.
These chemicals, called perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), are widely used in stain-resistant fabrics, non-stick cookware, firefighting foams, and electronics, and persist in the environment as they do not break down easily.
Studies have shown that PFOS are associated with health risks, including high cholesterol and liver enzyme changes.
Now, researchers have monitored the effects of PFOS on European honeybee colonies in Australia (Apis mellifera) and found that prolonged exposure can change the expression of some key proteins responsible for cell function in honeybees.
“PFOS was detected in the body tissue of the new generation of juvenile bees, and these showed a lower body weight than the control bees without PFOS exposure,” said Carolyn Sonter, an author of the study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.