Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure of Western Honey Bees

Abstract

Overview

Radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) are omnipresent in the environment, impacting various living organisms, including the globally significant Western Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera). This study rigorously investigates how these bees absorb RF-EMFs through both numerical models and field measurements.

Methodology

• Numerical simulations were conducted using micro-CT scanned models of honey bees (including two workers, a drone, a larva, and a queen) considering frequencies between 0.6 and 120 GHz.
• In-situ RF-EMF exposure measurements were carried out near beehives in Belgium to assess real-world exposure scenarios.

Findings

The research uncovers that even slight shifts in RF frequency have substantial effects on the amount of RF energy absorbed by the honey bees. Specifically, a 10% increase in frequency from below 3 GHz to higher frequencies results in a threefold increase in absorbed RF power.

Conclusion

The findings highlight significant implications for environmental RF-EMFs on bee health, suggesting increased absorption rates could impact their biological functions. The shift toward higher frequencies in future networks might exacerbate these effects, thereby potentially affecting bee populations and, by extension, global ecology and economy.