Nitrogen-fertilized grasslands may produce six times more pollen than their unfertilized counterparts, according to a recent study published in The Lancet Planetary Health. The study also indicates that pollen from fertilized grasslands is more likely to trigger hay fever than pollen from unfertilized grasslands.
The increase in pollen allergies globally in recent years has been attributed to various factors, including atmospheric nitrogen pollutants affecting pollen and leading to a higher release of allergens. However, the impact of nitrogen fertilizers, a significant source of environmental pollution, on pollen has been less studied.
The research compared pollen samples from 25 nitrogen-fertilized and 25 non-fertilized grasslands in Belgium. Results showed that nitrogen-fertilized grasslands had an average pollen count of 3.6 mg/m², which was 6.2 times higher than the unfertilized grasslands with 0.6 mg/m² of pollen.
Furthermore, the study assessed the allergenic nature of the pollen by exposing the blood of 20 individuals to pollen from both types of grasslands. It was observed that the participants’ immune cells (basophils) were five times more sensitive to pollen from the fertilized grasslands compared to the unfertilized ones.
The authors suggest that additional research should involve exposing participants to pollen directly to study their immune response and confirm the allergy-triggering potential. The study highlights the urgent need for strategies to address the impact of nitrogen fertilizer on biodiversity, the environment, and human health due to nitrogen pollution.
In conclusion, this study is the first to establish a clear link between nitrogen fertilizer, pollen count, and its role in triggering allergies. The findings underscore the importance of addressing the impact of nitrogen pollution not only on the environment but also on human health. Further research and mitigation strategies are crucial to mitigate the adverse effects of nitrogen fertilizers on both ecosystems and public health.
