Spring Sniffles Aren’t Always a Cold — Allergy Season Is Arriving
When spring arrives, many people automatically blame sniffles, congestion, and irritated sinuses on seasonal allergies or a lingering cold. But that assumption isn’t always correct. Environmental factors—particularly airborne irritants, such as ammonia, can produce nearly identical symptoms. A Historical Perspective About a century ago, widespread pollution was common, especially in rural and industrial regions. Agricultural practices—most notably the handling of manure—released significant amounts of ammonia into the air. This gas acted as a strong irritant to the sinuses and upper respiratory system. At the time, however, many people misattributed these symptoms to “spring weather,” unaware that air quality was a major contributing factor. Ammonia in the Air: An Overlooked Irritant Ammonia is still a relevant environmental pollutant today. It is released from fertilizers, livestock waste, industrial processes, and certain chemical systems. In agricultural or industrial regi...