Dossier
Hay fever and pollen
Hay fever is an allergic reaction that is caused by pollen from trees, grasses and herbaceous plants. When this pollen is dispersed by the wind, people with hay fever suffer from sneezing, red and itchy eyes and a stuffy nose.
Weather conditions determine when 'hay fever plants' flower and how much pollen they release into the atmosphere. Every year, the progression of hay fever symptoms can differ. The daily pollen concentration in the atmosphere in the Netherlands is measured by the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and Elkerliek Hospital in Helmond.
As part of the Nature’s Calendar observation programme, secondary school students and volunteers keep track of when various hay fever plants begin flowering. The students who conduct observations are also involved with the GLOBE Programme, an international education programme on the environmental sciences established in 1995 by Al Gore.
Knowledge about hay fever is limited
Ambrosia
One plant species that is known world-wide for causing hay fever symptoms is Ambrosia. This species, which is an exotic in the Netherlands, produces large amounts of strongly allergenic pollen. Moreover, the plant flowers late in the year, so the hay fever season for people who are sensitive to Ambrosia can be up to two months longer. Ambrosia originated from North America and has become widespread in the Netherlands because its seeds are unintentionally present in birdseed and wildflower mixtures. By removing plants before they begin flowering, nuisance from the pollen can be prevented, and the species is less likely to spread.
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Publications on hay fever and pollen
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Impacts of pH on mechanisms and rates of carbon and nitrogen mineralisation: a review
Wageningen: Wageningen Environmental Research (Report / Wageningen Environmental Research 3342) -
Exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for extracting and integrating data obtained through New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for chemical risk assessment
EFSA Supporting Publications (2024), Volume: 21, Issue: 1 - ISSN 2397-8325 -
Wegen voordelen van lintzaai op tegen kosten?
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From flowers to seeds : Unravelling connections between the start and the end of the Arabidopsis reproductive cycle
Wageningen University. Promotor(en): R.G.H Immink, co-promotor(en): G.C. Angenent - Wageningen: Wageningen University -
Nooit meer last van muggen? Wetenschappers tonen aan: zo mep je altijd raak
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Ook bioboer is soms piekbelaster. 'Wel even slikken'
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Extra calciumbemesting voor kwaliteit aardappelen vaak niet nodig
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Mosquitoes escape looming threats by actively steering into the bow-wave induced by the attacker
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Groen bij school maakt kinderen gelukkiger dan beton
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Predictive mapping of tree species assemblages in an African montane rainforest