Exposure to spring pollen may be linked to poorer performance in high-stakes school exams, particularly in subjects that demand strong mathematical skills, according to new research published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.
The study found that students sitting their national matriculation exams in southern Finland scored lower on days when airborne pollen levels were either low or high, compared with days when no pollen was present. The effect was especially noticeable in maths-based subjects such as physics and chemistry, prompting the researchers to call for greater awareness of how seasonal allergens may influence academic outcomes and, ultimately, future prospects.
Allergic rhinitis – an inflammatory response to allergens such as dust, pet hair, mould, and pollen – is known to affect sleep quality, concentration, mood and cardiovascular health. Air pollution and extreme weather can worsen symptoms by influencing plant growth and pollen production. However, until now, it has been unclear whether pollen exposure might also affect academic performance in a measurable way.
The researchers analysed data from 92,280 students who sat the national high school matriculation exams in the metropolitan areas of Helsinki and Turku between 2006 and 2020. Exam results were obtained from Statistics Finland and included grades in Finnish, History and Social Studies, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Students were on average 19 years old, though ages ranged from 16 to 77.
The team examined daily pollen counts for alder (Alnus spp) and hazel (Corylus avellana) – the only plants releasing pollen in Finland during the spring exam period. Pollen levels were categorised as low (1–10 grains per m³ air), moderate (10–100) or abundant (more than 100). Data on air pollution and weather conditions were also included in the analysis.
Across 156,059 exam scores, researchers observed a U-shaped relationship: scores declined on days with both low and high pollen counts. An average increase of 10 alder pollen grains per m³ was linked to a drop of 0.042 points on the 0–66 exam scale; the same increase in hazel pollen was associated with a 0.17-point reduction. These declines became more pronounced after adjusting for temperature, rainfall and air pollution.
The impact was particularly marked in maths-related subjects, which require sustained concentration and precision. Each additional 10 alder pollen grains was associated with a statistically significant drop in maths scores for both sexes. Hazel pollen exposure was linked to lower maths scores among males only. Among females, increases in alder pollen were associated with an overall significant decline in exam performance.
The researchers caution that the study is observational and cannot prove cause and effect. They also lacked data on which students had diagnosed allergies, although around one in five secondary school students is estimated to have allergic rhinitis.
The authors argue that steps such as scheduling exams outside peak pollen seasons, improving pollen forecasting and encouraging timely use of allergy medication could help create fairer testing conditions.
The full report can be read here.
Photo: Museums Victoria
Leave a Reply