Cell phones possibly causing death of honey bees

  

April 16, 2007 (WLS) -- Honey bees are dying off, and cell phones may be to blame.

Bees have been disappearing in 24 states, and beekeepers estimate more than a quarter of the country's 2.4 billion colonies have been affected.

Previously, scientists thought dry weather or pesticides may have been the cause, but a new German study shows that radiation from cell phone signals disorients bees.

"When bees are exposed to signals from cell phones, they can't find their way," said Dr. George L. Carlo, chairman of the Safewireless Initiative. "It gets no nutrition and it consequently dies."

Scientists say it's too soon to put the blame on anyone thing.. But, whatever the cause is, it could force a rise in consumer prices on food because honeybees are used to pollinate a third of the nation's agricultural crops.

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