Are Honey Bees at Risk from Microplastics?

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous and persistent pollutants, and have been detected in a wide variety of media, from soils to aquatic systems. MPs, consisting primarily of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyacrylamide polymers, have recently been found in 12% of samples of honey collected in Ecuador. Recently, MPs have also been identified in honey bees collected from apiaries in Copenhagen, Denmark, as well as nearby semiurban and rural areas. Given these documented exposures, assessment of their effects is critical for understanding the risks of MP exposure to honey bees. Exposure to polystyrene (PS)-MPs decreased diversity of the honey bee gut microbiota, followed by changes in gene expression related to oxidative damage, detoxification, and immunity. As a result, the aim of this perspective was to investigate whether wide-spread prevalence of MPs might have unintended negative effects on health and fitness of honey bees, as well as to draw the scientific community’s attention to the possible risks of MPs to the fitness of honey bees. Several research questions must be answered before MPs can be considered a potential threat to bees.

Exposure to polystyrene microplastic beads causes sex-specific toxic effects in the model insect Drosophila melanogaster

“…MP exposure can have toxicological effects on aquatic biota, such as decreased fitness, increased oxidative stress, immunological reactions, and impaired intestinal function 12 , 13 as well as mammal lung inflammation 14 , 15 . Additionally, there is evidence that MPs interact with terrestrial organisms, including invertebrates, terrestrial fungi, and animal pollinators, that mediate crucial ecosystem services and functions 16 – 24 .…”

The potential of multispectral imaging flow cytometry for environmental monitoring

“…Currently, as with the other monitoring tasks, this is done via manual microscopy, but pollen classification could be demonstrated with MIFC as well [9]. Additionally, non-biological contamination of honey by fibers and microplastic [46], as well as biological contamination via spores of bee disease causing agents [47] or by spores of microbial plant protection products (some examples listed here: [48] and their potential effects on bees and humans, can be investigated and quantified using MIFC.…”

Microplastics Derived from Food Packaging Waste—Their Origin and Health Risks

“…Microplastics have been found in fish [ 21 ], shellfish [ 22 , 23 , 24 ], poultry meat [ 25 ], eggs [ 26 ], salt [ 27 , 28 , 29 ], sugar [ 30 ], fruits [ 31 ], vegetables [ 32 ], water [ 33 ], milk [ 34 , 35 ], honey [ 35 , 36 , 37 ], beer [ 35 ], wine [ 38 ], tea [ 39 , 40 , 41 ], energy drinks, soft drinks [ 41 ], and infant formula [ 42 ] ( Figure 2 ). Consumption of MPs negatively affects the digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems [ 43 ].…”