A new study has found that people living in ‘urban areas’ are likely to experience more severe hay fever symptoms than those living elsewhere.
The results from the first-ever study carried out to compare pollution levels with the severity and duration of real-time hay fever symptoms by researchers at the University of Manchester (UoM) has revealed that residents in city centres and built-up towns – referred to as ‘urban areas’ – reported “significantly worse” symptoms of seasonal allergies.
The UoM research team studied a whopping 36,145 symptom reports submitted by more than 700 suffering Brits over a five-year period from 2016 to 2020.
They used a citizen science application called Britain Breathing for their research.
The study – which has been published in Scientific Reports this week – compares self-reported allergy symptoms in urban and rural locations, and particularly focuses on the severity of common hay fever symptoms.
ADVERTISEMENT
New study finds hay fever symptoms are worse for people in ‘urban areas’ / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
They found that reports of a runny nose, sore eyes, and wheezy breathing were roughly twice as severe for those in urban areas, than they were for those in rural ones across all years studied.
The study combined pollution measurements and pollen and meteorological data taken from the UK Met Office with the real-time geo-positioned reports to, according to UoM, “examine the relationship between symptom severity and air quality”.
ADVERTISEMENT
The analysis shows that urban areas record “significantly higher symptom severity” and “longer symptom duration” for all years studied, except 2017, whereas rural areas did not record this in any of the study years.
Researchers claim that symptom severity was “significantly correlated with ozone levels”, as ozone has previously been linked to respiratory problems.
Research was carried out over a five-year period / Credit: PxHere
“The worldwide prevalence of allergic respiratory disease has risen considerably in recent years,” explained Immunologist Professor Sheena Cruickshank – who is one of the authors of the study.
ADVERTISEMENT
“However, hay fever affects people differently and can change over a lifetime, and data is lacking on how environmental factors may influence this.
“This study provides evidence that urban surroundings may exacerbate hay fever and asthma symptoms. It also provides a broader picture of chronic health issues experienced by hay fever and asthma sufferers, as opposed to only observing those with more acute and/or problematic reactions.
Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People is set to return to cinemas for its anniversary
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most iconic movies is set to return to the big screen next month.
Remastered in 4K and returning to UK cinemas to mark 24 years since its original release, Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 biographical comedy drama film, 24 Hour Party People, tells the story of Manchester‘s popular music community from 1976 to 1992 – specifically about Factory Records‘ founder Tony Wilson.
The film begins with the punk rock era of the late 1970s, before moving through the 1980s into the rave and DJ culture, and of course, the ‘Madchester‘ scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The narrative largely follows the career of Tony Wilson, played by Middleton-born actor Steve Coogan, while also covering the careers of the major Factory Records artists – especially Joy Division and New Order, as well as A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays.
If you haven’t seen 24 Hour Party People before, it’s a dramatisation based on a combination of real events, rumours, and urban legends, as the film is sure to make clear.
Coogan is joined by a cast by a mixture of big names and, at the time, rising stars like Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, John Simm, Ralf Little, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, John Thomson, and even Peter Kay, alongside cameos from other figures connected to the Manchester music scene.
Before it returns to cinemas, the film will first open music and media festival/conference, Beyond The Music, at MediaCity in Salford on 6 October.
The screening at the festival will also be followed by a Q&A with Coogan, Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.
24 Hour Party People will then be re-released in UK cinemas from 9 October, and you can check your local cinema for screening times and book tickets online now.
Featured Image – Altitude
Trending
Bury actress Kate O’Flynn wins big at 2026 Emmys with record-breaking comedy show
Emily Sergeant
Did you know that one of the big winners at the 2026 Emmy Awards last night was actually an actress from Bury?
In case it wasn’t on your radar, American television‘s biggest night, the Emmys, took place yesterday evening over in Los Angeles, and several records were broken in the process – including Apple TV’s comedy horror Widow’s Bay taking home the most Emmys ever for a single series of a comedy show, with 14 of them.
Widow’s Bay tells the story of mayor Tom Loftis, played by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who is trying to boost tourism on his rugged New England island, but must navigate several strange events that suggest it might be cursed.
Created by Katie Dippold, and executive produced and directed by Hiro Murai, Widow’s Bay was released in late April to widespread critical acclaim.
At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards last night, the show scooped a record 14 awards, including for Outstanding Comedy Series, several acting wins, and wins for directing and writing too.
One of those acting wins was Kate O’Flynn for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – an actress who hails from the Greater Manchester town of Bury.
Kate stars as Patricia Moyer, mayor Tom’s eccentric assistant in the show.
She grew up in Holcombe Brook near Ramsbottom, and was educated at Bury Grammar School, before she went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Acting in 2006.
Taking to the stage to accept her award last night, Kate said in her speech: “I want to thank our mayor [Matthew Rhys] and all the residents of Widow’s Bay, in front and behind the camera – you’re amazing. This is the role of a lifetime, thank you Katie and Hiro for trusting a Lancashire lass to play a sassy broad like Patricia. And thank you Apple [TV] for saying yes.
“Thank you Nicky and Tony for looking after me, my family back home, my mum and dad, and the loves of my life, my husband and our darling daughter – another sassy broad in the making.
Emily Sergeant -
24th February 2023 
