PFOS ‘Forever Chemical’ Can Accumulate in Bees—and Their Honey

A study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology has revealed the toxic “forever chemical,” PFOS, can accumulate in exposed honeybee colonies and transfer to their honey, threatening pollinator viability, food security, and potentially human health. Conducted by researchers at the University of New England (UNE), the study monitored the effects of chronic sublethal exposure of PFOS on European honeybee colonies, showing prolonged exposure to environmental levels of PFOS changed the expression of some key proteins responsible for cell function in the honeybee.

How PFOS affects bee health

“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 UNE’s Dr. Carolyn Sonter, who led the study under the supervision of UNE’s Prof Susan Wilson, Prof Romina Rader, Prof Matthew Tighe and Dr. Manisha Shakya.

“A lower body weight indicates a smaller bee with smaller glands, including the hypopharyngeal gland, which produces royal jelly to feed the next generation of bees.”