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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Supplementary Information accompanying article " Turing patterns point to mechanisms underlying lagoonal coral resilience"
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Estimates of residues volumes, compositions and of production potentials
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8. Geïntegreerd gewasmanagement (ICM) van bladschimmels in tarwe
Wageningen: Wageningen Plant Research (Factsheet 8) -
Data Package of manuscript "Surface -activated mechano-catalysis for ambient conversion of plastic waste"
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Data underlying the publication: Boosting efficiency of mussel seed collection for ecological sustainability: identifying critical drivers and informing management
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Reducing the formation of enteric methane and influencing the methane potential of manure via nutrition of pigs : literature study
Wageningen: Wageningen Livestock Research (Report / Wageningen Livestock Research 1485) -
Schoolfruit 2024: Geschatte eenheidsprijs voor schoolfruit en groente
Wageningen: Wageningen Economic Research (Rapport / Wageningen Economic Research 2024-077) -
Temperature-depth and geological borehole descriptions from near the 'La Cabine' groundwater abstraction station, Netherlands
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Data from: "Dune establishment drivers on the beach: narrowing down the window of opportunity"
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Deelrapportage Klimaatverantwoorde zuivelsector 2022 : Sectorrapportage Duurzame Zuivelketen
Wageningen: Wageningen Economic Research