A Review of the Physiological Responses and Toxicity Mechanisms of Honey Bees Under Lead Exposure

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Abstract
Heavy metal pollution has emerged as a major challenge in global environmental science in the 21st century because of its extensive distribution, long-term environmental persistence, and non-degradability. As indispensable pollinators in ecosystems, honey bees have undergone marked population declines, a trend closely associated with multiple environmental stressors, including heavy metal contamination. Notably, lead (Pb), a widespread legacy toxic metal pollutant, is released into the environment through industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and other anthropogenic sources, contributing to long-term environmental contamination. Moreover, Pb can be transferred to honey bees through contaminated pollen and nectar. This exposure route may pose a risk to honey bee health, particularly under chronic or repeated exposure. This review synthesizes current evidence on Pb exposure routes, bioaccumulation, sublethal toxicity, and physiological responses in honey bees, while highlighting major uncertainties in colony-level risk assessment. Pb-associated physiological effects may impair individual bee health, but their long-term implications for colony health require further study.
Funding Information
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (32060241 and 31572339)
  • China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA (CARS-44-KXJ13)
  • Yunnan Provincial Postgraduate Supervisor Team Construction Project (2025YJSYZKC03)

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