Australian scientists have warned in a study that toxic ‘forever chemicals’ could accumulate in bee hives and affect honey, posing a threat to human health.

Known as PFOS, these chemicals are used in large quantities in stain-resistant fabrics, non-stick cookware, fire-fighting foam and electrical appliances, and because they do not dissolve, they remain in the environment for a long time.

Previous studies have shown that PFOS are associated with health risks, including high cholesterol and changes in liver enzymes.

In the latest study, researchers examined the effects of PFOS on European honey bee colonies in Australia and found that long-term exposure to the substance can change the expression of some important proteins that control the functions of bee cells.

Study author Caroline Sonter said that the presence of PFOS was found in the body tissues of young bees of the new generation and that these bees had lower body weights than bees that were protected from the effects of PFOS (the control group).

The research was published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.