Seasonal allergies, once confined to specific time periods of the year, are now increasingly becoming a year-round concern for millions. Non-coincidental though, this is largely because of climate change. As temperatures inch upwards and the atmospheric conditions change, so do the allergy seasons, lengthening, intensifying, and reaching more people across the globe.
The Science Behind the Shift
Climate change is now interfering with the basic rhythms of plant growth and pollen production. Due to the increase in temperature and carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the atmosphere, plants begin blooming earlier now and produce more pollen than they would usually have.
Some reports indicate that, by this century’s end, pollen emissions can start 40 days earlier in spring and could go on for another 19 days before it subsides.
Furthermore, a large-scale study showed that pollen concentrations increased by 20%, with allergy seasons from 1990 until 2018 being prolonged in nearly all study zones so that some areas experienced pollen seasons virtually year-round.
Positive and Regional Effects
The scale of this disturbance varies depending on the region. The regions of Wichita, Kansas, and New Orleans are considered among the more severely affected due to the high pollen counts that remain almost constant and a deficit of specialists that can give treatment for allergies.
Meanwhile, based on pollen data, the Northeastern and Pacific Northwest cities in turn generally have lower pollen count levels two against.
Countries like Australia are witnessing this phenomenon on the international front. With increased heat and prolonged springs, more and somewhat earlier hay fever symptoms are troubling a good portion of the population.
Several factors are working to aggravate the severity of allergy symptoms:
Urban Heat Islands: Because of human activities and infrastructure, cities tend to be warmer than the surrounding areas. This warm environment allows plants to bloom and produce pollen at an accelerated rate, thereby elongating the allergy seasons.
Air Pollution: Pollutants like ground-level ozone can change the structure of pollen grains, making them highly allergenic. Air pollution acts as a catalyst to increase the potency of allergens and aggravate respiratory problems.
Extreme Weather Events: More frequent and intense storms, including thunderstorms, are examples of extreme weather events happening because of climate change. These conditions are propitious to thunderstorm asthma whereby strong winds and updrafts break pollen into smaller particles that are easily inhaled and cause very severe allergic reactions.
Health Implications
The long and intense allergy seasons are not a mere nuisance but pose serious health hazards. Increased period of allergens exposure can lead to chronic respiratory conditions, more frequent asthma attacks, and impairment in the quality of life. Existing conditions such as asthma or a weakened immune system can predispose one even further.
It also comes with quite a heavy price tag, with increased hospital visits, medication costs, and lost productivity due to sickness. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, it is estimated that allergies cost the United States economy billions of dollars per year in medical and lost workdays.
Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies
Although the challenge appears great, the following strategies can at least reduce the negative impact of the extended allergy season on human life.
Early Intervention: Administering allergy medications during times before their symptoms begin can help in managing the reactions and making them less severe.
Environmental Controls: Limit exposure to pollen by using air purifiers, keeping windows closed on high pollen days, and staying indoors during peak pollen times.
Urban Planning: Cities can reduce allergens by planting less allergenic vegetation and increasing green space for air quality improvement.
Policy: Governments can embark on implementing policies toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are the cause and effect of climate change and its impact on allergy season.
The change in patterns of allergy seasons are direct markers indicating the wider influence of climate change on public health. As temperatures are rising and atmospheric conditions are changing, the allergy season gets longer, severe, and felt across more regions. This particular issue cannot be addressed by a one-way solution, be it an individual’s intervention or only a community-based act or global policy formation; rather, all of them need to be put together to mitigate the impacts at the present and going forward, thereby protecting public health.
