Natural helpers - scientists use honeybees to check for harmful chemicals in the environment

Ranger Rick, May, 1997

Years ago, some harmful chemicals were buried at an Army base in Maryland. Now, scientists want to know if any are leaking out into the surrounding environment. And they've figured out a clever way to check. They trucked in 14 beehives filled with honey bees--and high-tech equipment!

As the bees fly from flower to flower, their fuzzy bodies pick up tiny specks of everything they touch. Back in the hives, the equipment measures any chemi- cals stuck to the bees. Some traces of harmful chemicals have already been found.

"The bees are like little flying dust mops!" says one scientist who helped design the project.