Pollen Seasons Up to 2 Weeks Longer Since 1990s

A new report by 65 researchers from institutions across Europe and the United Nations has found that pollen seasons are now lasting up to two weeks longer than in the 1990s, prolonging exposure for millions of hay fever sufferers in the UK and across the continent.

Published on April 21 in The Lancet Public Health as part of the Lancet Countdown in Europe 2026, the study analyzed changes in pollen from birch, alder, and olive trees. It determined that these allergenic trees began pollinating one to two weeks earlier between 2015 and 2024 compared with 1991 to 2000. Warmer temperatures and shifting seasonal patterns, linked to climate change, are driving plants to flower sooner and release pollen over extended periods. Warm, dry weather further aids pollen dispersal, leading to higher concentrations in the air.

Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, affects an estimated one in five people in the UK, triggered by pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds. Symptoms include itchy eyes, sneezing, runny noses, headaches, and fatigue, which can disrupt sleep, reduce productivity, and cause missed work or school days. For teenagers, severe symptoms during exams may result in lower academic...