Page 48 - Green knowledge 2024

Photo: Dan Aamlid
Pollen calendar - a tool against allergies
A new regional pollen calendar provides vital information about pollen seasons in Norway,
assisting healthcare professionals in tailoring treatments for those with pollen allergies.
Pollen allergy affects many Norwegians each year
and can lead to significant health issues. Until now,
information on the variation of pollen levels across
different regions in Norway has been limited.
Researchers have now developed a regional pollen
calendar to help improve the daily lives of pollen
allergy sufferers. This calendar, the first of its kind,
serves as an important tool for healthcare profes-
sionals to plan treatments based on local pollen con-
ditions.
“The pollen calendar offers a detailed overview of
pollen seasons for various species and regions in
Norway,” explains Dr Carl Frisk.
Together with colleagues from NAAF and NTNU, he
has mapped the occurrence of seven pollen species—
alder, hazel, goat willow, birch, pine, grass, and mug-
wort—over a 16-year period in 12 Norwegian regions.
By comparing data on pollen levels and periods of
high concentrations, the researchers have identified
a strong correlation between the intensity of the
pollen season and the number of days with high
pollen levels.
“The pollen season for trees, including birch and
pine, spans from January to mid-July, with birch
pollen being especially dominant,” says Dr Frisk.
“Grass pollen appears in a milder season between
June and mid-August, but in some areas, such as
Kristiansand, it can be significantly stronger. South-
eastern regions like Oslo, Kristiansand, and Lille-
hammer generally have higher pollen levels than
northern areas like Bodø and Tromsø.”
Dr Frisk highlights that further research will focus
on how pollen from pine and goat willow affects
allergy sufferers, as there is still limited understand-
ing of how these species trigger allergic reactions.
Purpose: To map the occurrence of Norwegian pollen species and their seasonal variations, in order to
develop a useful tool for healthcare professionals planning treatments for pollen allergy sufferers.
Collaboration: The Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association, NTNU
Funding: The Dam Foundation
Contact: Research Scientist Carl Frisk, Division of Environment and Natural Resources.
Email: carl.frisk@nibio.no | Phone: 413 82 953
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