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Longer allergy season linked to global warming
36 million Americans who suffer from allergies could be facing the worst season ever. Why allergy experts say the warmer temperatures will make matters worse.
If it seems like your seasonal allergies have been getting worse in recent years, you may be right.
Experts from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology say global warming is making pollen seasons longer and more concentrated.
In a new review, researchers describe multiple ways in which warmer temperatures impact asthma, allergies and other respiratory disorders.
One British study on hundreds of plants found that they flower an average of nearly five days earlier now compared to a decade ago, and 10 percent flower 15 days earlier, lengthening the allergy season.
Other research finds that increased carbon dioxide gas is linked to a 60 to 90 percent rise in pollen production for some ragweed varieties.
Global warming is also expected to create more forest fires, which trigger air pollution that worsens asthma.
Experts recommend allergy sufferers protect themselves by keeping their windows closed during the pollen season, staying indoors during midday to reduce exposure, and changing their clothes after outdoor activities.
Ragweed season typically begins around August 15.
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Comments
Eve (anonymous) says...
I will agree that more carbon in the air aids plant growth. In fact parts of the Sahara are starting to bloom. Greenhouse growers know this and pump Co2 into the greenhouses. This year was a month late for everything and I did not experience my usual spring allergy season. I am sure that by the time ragweed shows up, it will be covered with snow. As much as I will enjoy this, I do not like to heat my home for 12 months in the year.
Bring on the global warming please, it is scarse here.
August 7, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )