Honey Bees Reduce Rhinitis Symptoms in Greenhouse Workers

Honeybee Interference as a Novel Aid to Reduce Pollen Exposure and Nasal Symptoms among Greenhouse Workers Allergic to Sweet Bell Pepper
Int Arch Allergy Immunol, 2006 Aug 30;141(4):390-395

Background: In 1999, an extensive study among bell pepper growers showed a prevalence of 53.8% work-related symptoms and 35.4% sensitisation to bell pepper pollen. Experiments with bees to remove pollen from bell pepper flowers have been done for a few years. Objectives: It was the aim of this study to investigate whether bees can reduce the pollen exposure in bell pepper greenhouses and whether this reduction results in a decrease in allergic complaints in the greenhouse workers…

Conclusions: The interference of bees in bell pepper greenhouses significantly reduces the pollen amount. This reduction is associated with less work-related rhinitis symptoms in allergic greenhouse workers…