Bibliographic Study on the Interaction between Electromagnetic Fields and Bees: The Impact on Behaviour, Health and the Ecosystem

Abstract

The interaction between electromagnetic radiation generated by current technologies (mobile phones and 4G/5G wireless antennas) and bees is an ongoing research topic with wider ecological and environmental implications, as bees play a crucial role in pollination and maintaining ecosystems. Since the interaction between bees and electromagnetic radiation is a complex and multifactorial issue, studies are needed in Romania to better understand the connection between non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation and bees. The aim of this paper was to highlight the importance and relevance of the impact of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation on bees, in order to understand the potential threats to their health and the ecosystem. In order to explore the impact of electromagnetic radiation on bees, we considered publications accessible in the published scientific databases (2007-2024). Data were collected from more than 100 publications and finally 83 studies were considered, from which 76 studies were finally selected. The authors emphasized the negative effect on bees exposed to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (changes in flight behavior, disorientation, inability to identify the food source), emphasizing the relationship between the practical consequences of exposure to electromagnetic radiation and the decline of bee populations (CCD).

Keywords

• bees, behaviour, biodiversity, electromagnetic radiation, environment