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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Scientific Advisory Board of the European Forest Institute (External organisation)
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Fermentation
In: Encyclopedia of Food Safety - Elsevier - ISBN: 9780128225202 - p. 499-509. -
Towards the electrocatalytic oxidation of sugar alcohols, saccharides and polysaccharides
Wageningen University. Promotor(en): J.H. Bitter, co-promotor(en): M.T.M. Koper, T. van Haasterecht - Wageningen: Wageningen University - ISBN: 9789464478839 -
Dairy cattle replacement under changing agri-environmental policies
Wageningen University. Promotor(en): H. Hogeveen, M. Nielen, co-promotor(en): M.C.M. Mourits, W. Steeneveld - Wageningen: Wageningen University - ISBN: 9789464479904 -
Where do we go from here? : Navigating power inequalities between development NGOs in the aid system
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Water efficiency is set to become more pressing issue in the future : Recovery of transpired water gaining ground
In Greenhouses : the international magazine for greenhouse growers (2024), Volume: 13, Issue: 1 - ISSN 2215-0633 - p. 28-29. -
Where do we go from here? Video presenting results of research project : Navigating power inequalities between development NGOs in the aid system
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Een handreiking voor het uitvoeren van een TCA voor korte voedselketens
Wageningen: Wageningen Economic Research (Rapport / Wageningen Economic Research 2024-009) - ISBN: 9789464470086 -
Improvement options for archive boxes in tropical climates
Wageningen: Wageningen Food & Biobased Research (Report / Wageningen Food & Biobased Research 2534) -
Dynamic institutional capacities for industrial water use efficiency in Vietnam
Wageningen University. Promotor(en): S.R. Bush, co-promotor(en): van Leeuwen, Tran Thi My Dieu - Wageningen: Wageningen University - ISBN: 9789464479225