We are proud to share that a recent study by Prof. Dr. Tobias Ceulemans and colleagues from KU Leuven has been published in The Lancet Planetary Health—and featured on the journal’s cover. The research uncovers a novel link between nitrogen pollution and increased allergic reactions, such as hay fever, in grassland environments.
The project, coordinated in collaboration with UZ Leuven and Sciensano, was initiated while Prof. Dr. Tobias Ceulemans was affiliated with KU Leuven, and continued following his appointment at the University of Antwerp. The idea for the study was sparked nearly 17 years ago during fieldwork, when a technician with hay fever reported surprisingly few symptoms in nitrogen-poor grasslands—an observation that eventually inspired a multidisciplinary investigation.
Funded by BELSPO in 2020, the study presents, for the first time, empirical evidence that nitrogen-rich grasslands can exacerbate allergic responses. While the ecological effects of nitrogen pollution are well known, this research highlights a direct link to public health—underscoring the importance of collaboration between ecologists, environmental scientists, immunologists, and policymakers.
Although KU Leuven and Sciensano are the official host institutions of the project, the University of Antwerp is also proudly represented through his senior authorship and continued involvement.
