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Honey Bees as Bioindicators of Air Pollution: A Narrative Review on Human Health Implications
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This review explores the use of honey bees as bioindicators of air pollution, including airborne microplastics, within a One Health framework. Researchers found that bees accumulate environmental contaminants during foraging, making them effective biological monitors for tracking air quality and pollution exposure relevant to both ecosystem and human health.
Air pollution is a growing threat to environmental and human health, particularly in densely populated and industrial regions such as Baja California (Mexico) and California (USA). This narrative review, informed by a structured literature search, explores the use of honey bees (Apis mellifera) as bioindicators of air quality and their relevance for environmental and public health surveillance within a One Health framework. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed/PubMed Central in May 2025, with no restrictions on language or study type, using MeSH terms and relevant keywords combined with Boolean operators. A manual search of key references was also performed. The selection process included duplicate removal, title and abstract screening, and full-text review using predefined inclusion criteria. Evidence indicates that bees accumulate atmospheric contaminants, including heavy metals, pesticides, particulate matter, and microplastics, across various matrices such as wings, pollen, and honey. These exposures trigger sublethal physiological responses, including oxidative stress and enzymatic alterations, paralleling early pathophysiological mechanisms in humans (e.g., IL-6 and TNF-α–mediated inflammation). Bee-based biomonitoring represents a cost-effective, sensitive, and scalable approach for identifying pollution hotspots and potential human exposure zones. The use of honey bees as environmental bioindicators can enhance early detection of pollution-related health risks, especially in regions with limited air quality infrastructure. Implementing standardized analytical protocols and fostering binational cooperation between Mexico and the United States could strengthen One Health surveillance networks. This integrative approach provides a practical model for linking environmental monitoring with preventive public health strategies.
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