London: Latest research on asthma holds common grass pollen responsible for some life-threatening attacks.

The study conducted over a three-years period by researchers at the Carlos III University in Madrid discovered that periods of high pollen counts coincided with an increase in emergency hospital admissions for cases of severe asthma.

According to a report in 'The Independent', more than 5,000 emergency admissions for respiratory illness were monitored and compared to data collated on pollen and pollution levels. The report found that during rainy weather, when pollen counts were low, admissions levels were not significantly high.

However, "epidemic level" surges in admissions coincided with high levels of pollen. In particular, the admissions were linked to the release of pollen from plantago and poeceae grasses, both of which grow across Europe, the study said.

Admissions rose by 17 per cent three days after the increase in poeceae pollen. For plantago, there was a time lag of two days before admissions rose by almost 16 per cent.

ANI