Pollen and mold seasons are 8-9 weeks longer than 20 years ago – climate change is to blame

New studies suggest that the allergy season is lengthening and worsening for patients with hay fever.

Researchers looked at allergen data collected in the San Francisco Bay Area over the past two decades.

They found that the local pollen and mold season was extended by 8 to 9 weeks per year from 2002.

The Stanford University School of Medicine team California, D Climate change Rising temperatures are responsible for the lengthening of the allergy season.

They found that the local pollen (trees, weeds, grasses) and mold seasons have been extended by 8 to 9 weeks over the past 20 years (above).

“Climate change is really a health issue and we are now living and breathing the effects of climate change,” said lead author Dr Kali Nado. Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, Stanford University Press release..

“As an allergist, I realized that it was my duty to monitor pollen counts and that the pollen season on trees started early every year.

“My patient was complaining. This year is a very difficult year, “but I waited and thought I was saying it every year.

Allergies occur when the body’s immune system considers a harmful substance and overreacts to it.

The reactions can cause mild discomfort, sneezing and watery eyes to life-threatening things such as anaphylactic shock, where blood pressure suddenly drops and the airways narrow, preventing a person from breathing normally.

Having hay fever means having an allergic reaction to the powder present in flowering plants.

Due to its microscopic size (less than 0.007 inches), pollen can travel far, be easily inhaled, and enter deep into the lungs.

Grass and tree pollen is usually released between April and May, while weed pollen such as ragweed is released from June to July.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, about 8% of American adults over the age of 18 suffer from hay fever, an allergic reaction to pollen.

Published in the research journal Scientific report, The team saw aiPollen and mold spore data collected by the Los Altos Hills pollen counting station.

Researchers calculated pollen concentrations in grasses, trees, weeds, and mold spores from 2002 to 2019.

Although allergens from more than 100 species of plants and fungi have been identified, this study focused on the 20 most common species.

They found that the local pollen and mold season was extended by 8 to 9 weeks.

This means that the allergy season, which usually begins in April, begins as early as the first week of March or the last week of February.

searcher We also looked at environmental data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on temperature, precipitation, and carbon dioxide levels.

They found that high temperatures from spring to winter prolonged the pollen season of trees and that the weed pollen season was associated with higher temperatures in spring and summer.

Researchers say climate change is due to longer pollen seasons due to higher temperatures and moldy seasons due to rainfall and subsequent droughts.

Due to the warmer summer temperatures, the pollen season has been lengthened and increased mold numbers have been associated with rainfall and subsequent droughts.

Nado see a doctor, especially if you have severe allergies. Adjust allergy treatment accordingly.

“The reason for the increase in allergies is that it helps patients know that pollen is in the air longer than before,” says Nado.

“Patients should follow local pollen counts and not just assume that allergies start around the same time each year. ”