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.
- Unfortunately, your cookie settings do not allow videos to be displayed. - check your settings
Publications on hay fever and pollen
-
Soms kun je beter het zeegras beschermen dan de schildpad
-
How green are your tulips? EU rules for calculating the footprint of ornamental plants
-
KB WOT Fisheries 2024 - Maintaining Exccellence and Innovation in Fisheries Research
Centre for Fisheries Research (CVO) (CVO report CVO report 24.011) -
Beyond Formal-Informal Dichotomies
In: Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Anthropology - Oxford University Press - ISBN: 9780190854584 -
Adaptive strategies of Listeria monocytogenes : Evolved variants with altered stress resistance and fitness
Wageningen University. Promotor(en): T. Abee, H.M.W. den Besten, M.H. Zwietering - Wageningen: Wageningen University -
Company reflexivity for plastics circularity : The transformative potential of reflexive environmental legislation in the EU
Wageningen University. Promotor(en): J. van Zeben, co-promotor(en): J. van Leeuwen - Wageningen: Wageningen University -
What if diversity of values isn’t bringing transformation? Insights from Critical Social Theory
-
It’s a steal at the self-checkout
-
Bestrijding nachtmerrieplant Japanse duizendknoop lijkt in Rotterdam eindelijk succesvol
-
Seeing the forest but missing the problem : National policy responses to drivers of deforestation and forest degradation
Wageningen University. Promotor(en): A. Gupta, S.R. Bush - Wageningen: Wageningen University