Effects of Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Pollution on Invertebrates, Including Pollinators Such as Honey Bees: What We Know, What We Don’t Know, and What We Need to Know

Abstract

Effects of Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Pollution on Invertebrates, Including Pollinators Such as Honey Bees: What We Know, What We Don’t Know, and What We Need to Know Friesen M, Havas M. 2020. Effects of Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Pollution on Invertebrates, Including Pollinators Such as Honey Bees: What We Know, What We Don’t Know, and What We Need to Know.” Pages 127-138 In Working Landscapes. Proceedings of the 12th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference, February 2019, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Edited by D. Danyluk. Critical Wildlife Habitat Program, Winnipeg, Manitoba. pcesc.ca. Abstract Invertebrates, including pollinators such as honey bees, can be adversely affected by non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Sources contributing to common environmental EMR exposures include antennae (cell phone, broadcast, and radar), communications satellites, and power lines. Adverse biochemical changes and disorientation have been reported for honey bees and other invertebrates. Field studies have reported changes in abundance and composition of “key pollinator groups” (wild bees, hoverflies, bee flies, beetles, and wasps) that have been attributed to emissions from telecommunications towers. We take a close look at the biological effects on invertebrates of EMR reported in the scientific literature and a general look at evidence from studies on plants, birds, humans, and other animals (domestic, laboratory, wild). We discuss possible implications of excessive electromagnetic pollution on ecosystems and identify knowledge gaps and what we need to know before more electromagnetic pollution is added to the environment, especially in the form of 5G. Introduction Invertebrates (animals without backbones) are major components of most ecosystems. Insects are key to the integrity of many ecosystems in many roles including as pollinators. Honey bees play a role in pollination of domestic as well as wild plants and are often used as bio-indicator species and as a “model” to examine environmental problems. The global decline of pollinators is of grave concern and efforts are being made to identify the reasons (Potts et al. 2010; Sánchez-Bayo and Wyckhuys 2019). One factor not widely considered is the possible role of anthropogenic electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are invisible electric and magnetic fields of force. All living organisms have evolved in Earth’s natural EMFs and depend on them to live. Natural sources include Earth’s static magnetic field, and static electricity, including differences in charges among clouds and the earth that can lead to lightning. Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) originates when fields change. Anthropogenic (human-made, artificial) EMR sources are sometimes referred to as electromagnetic pollution or electrosmog. The main frequency ranges of interest in this article are: 1) extremely low frequencies (ELF) of 50/60 to 90 Hz that emanate from sources such as power lines and building wiring; and 2) radiofrequency radiation (RFR) of 700 MHz to 6 GHz, commonly used for devices such as cell phones, radio and television, and their supporting infrastructure, e.g., cell towers, antennae on buildings, and orbiting communications satellites. Also discussed are frequencies currently being developed and deployed above 6 GHz for 5G (5th Generation) for faster and more pervasive connectivity, including the “Internet of Things”. pcesc.ca

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

The authors state that invertebrates, including honey bees, can be adversely affected by non-ionizing EMR, with reports of adverse biochemical changes and disorientation. They also describe field studies reporting changes in abundance and composition of key pollinator groups attributed to emissions from telecommunications towers and discuss implications and knowledge gaps, including in relation to 5G.

Outcomes measured

• Biochemical changes in honey bees and other invertebrates
• Disorientation in honey bees and other invertebrates
• Changes in abundance and composition of key pollinator groups near telecommunications towers
• Ecosystem implications (discussed)
• Knowledge gaps regarding added electromagnetic pollution, especially 5G

Limitations

• Conference proceedings review; methods for literature search/selection not described in the provided abstract
• Attribution language is reported (e.g., changes 'attributed' to towers) without details on study designs or controls in the abstract
• No quantitative exposure metrics (e.g., measured field levels, SAR) provided in the abstract
• No sample sizes or effect estimates provided in the abstract

Suggested hubs

• 5g-policy (0.6)
  Discusses implications and knowledge gaps before adding more electromagnetic pollution, especially in the form of 5G.

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    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF and RF",
        "source": "environmental sources including antennae (cell phone, broadcast, radar), communications satellites, and power lines; telecommunications towers; 5G mentioned",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Invertebrates including pollinators such as honey bees; also references to plants, birds, humans, and other animals (domestic, laboratory, wild)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Biochemical changes in honey bees and other invertebrates",
        "Disorientation in honey bees and other invertebrates",
        "Changes in abundance and composition of key pollinator groups near telecommunications towers",
        "Ecosystem implications (discussed)",
        "Knowledge gaps regarding added electromagnetic pollution, especially 5G"
    ],
    "main_findings": "The authors state that invertebrates, including honey bees, can be adversely affected by non-ionizing EMR, with reports of adverse biochemical changes and disorientation. They also describe field studies reporting changes in abundance and composition of key pollinator groups attributed to emissions from telecommunications towers and discuss implications and knowledge gaps, including in relation to 5G.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Conference proceedings review; methods for literature search/selection not described in the provided abstract",
        "Attribution language is reported (e.g., changes 'attributed' to towers) without details on study designs or controls in the abstract",
        "No quantitative exposure metrics (e.g., measured field levels, SAR) provided in the abstract",
        "No sample sizes or effect estimates provided in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.66000000000000003108624468950438313186168670654296875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
    "keywords": [
        "invertebrates",
        "pollinators",
        "honey bees",
        "non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation",
        "electromagnetic pollution",
        "electrosmog",
        "ELF",
        "radiofrequency",
        "telecommunications towers",
        "power lines",
        "satellites",
        "5G"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
            "weight": 0.59999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
            "reason": "Discusses implications and knowledge gaps before adding more electromagnetic pollution, especially in the form of 5G."
        }
    ]
}

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