REVIEW PAPER
The impact of climate change on selected pollen allergies and some allergic diseases
1
Department of Paediatrics, Allergolgy and Cardiollogy, Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
Corresponding author
Ewa Willak-Janc
I Katedra Pediatrii, Klinika Alergologii i Kardiologii,, Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Piastów Śląskich, CHAŁUBIŃSKIEGO TYTUSA 2, 50-368, Wrocław, Polska
I Katedra Pediatrii, Klinika Alergologii i Kardiologii,, Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Piastów Śląskich, CHAŁUBIŃSKIEGO TYTUSA 2, 50-368, Wrocław, Polska
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
Pollen can reflect changing climate. In Europe, pollen types are increasing season duration and an earlier onset is being experiencing. The reason for this includes a lack of change in some monthly meteorological variables or change in land-use, such as grassland being replaced by urban areas or woodland. The review presents the background of climate change, impact of the pollen season, and duration of symptoms in patients with allergic diseases.
Brief description of the state of knowledge:
Climate change has important effects related to environmental pollution and the origin of hypersensitivity and pollen allergy. This causes an increase in the production of pollens and an increase in their allergenic properties. Climate change can affect plant growth which can be altered so that the new pollens produced are modified and affect health. As a consequence, an increase in the incidence of allergic diseases caused by pollens is expected in the medium and long-term.
Summary:
The education of the population in preventing environmental pollution and climate change is a matter of urgency worldwide. Adaptation and mitigation measures can be undertaken to limit the impact of climate change on the pollution induced by chemical agents and pollen. Mitigation addresses the causes of climate change, whereas adaptation addresses its impact. Adaptation will be not able to eliminate all negative impacts and mitigation is crucial to limit changes in the climate system. Extreme weather phenomena, such as thunderstorms, trigger exacerbations of asthma with an important socio-economic impact. Allergic patients should be educated about the risk of asthma exacerbation during a thunderstorm or pollen season.
Pollen can reflect changing climate. In Europe, pollen types are increasing season duration and an earlier onset is being experiencing. The reason for this includes a lack of change in some monthly meteorological variables or change in land-use, such as grassland being replaced by urban areas or woodland. The review presents the background of climate change, impact of the pollen season, and duration of symptoms in patients with allergic diseases.
Brief description of the state of knowledge:
Climate change has important effects related to environmental pollution and the origin of hypersensitivity and pollen allergy. This causes an increase in the production of pollens and an increase in their allergenic properties. Climate change can affect plant growth which can be altered so that the new pollens produced are modified and affect health. As a consequence, an increase in the incidence of allergic diseases caused by pollens is expected in the medium and long-term.
Summary:
The education of the population in preventing environmental pollution and climate change is a matter of urgency worldwide. Adaptation and mitigation measures can be undertaken to limit the impact of climate change on the pollution induced by chemical agents and pollen. Mitigation addresses the causes of climate change, whereas adaptation addresses its impact. Adaptation will be not able to eliminate all negative impacts and mitigation is crucial to limit changes in the climate system. Extreme weather phenomena, such as thunderstorms, trigger exacerbations of asthma with an important socio-economic impact. Allergic patients should be educated about the risk of asthma exacerbation during a thunderstorm or pollen season.
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