The Impact of Climate Change on Allergy Rates
The effects of climate change are being felt in a multitude of ways, including through the connection between climate change and allergies. Warmer temperatures, extreme weather and higher Co2 rates have contributed to the increased severity and the number of people who have allergies world wide (1).
In particular, Australia and New Zealand have some of the highest rates of allergies, asthma and hay fever in the world.
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistic data from 2022 shows that 24 per cent of Australians are now affected by seasonal hay fever, up from 15% in 2008.
At Health & Wellness Australia and Auckland, we’ve observed the connection between climate change and allergies first hand. We’re seeing more and more Positive Association Technique (PAT) clients each year experiencing seasonal hay fever symptoms for the first time.
This is thought to be because grass pollen seasons are starting earlier and pollen levels reaching higher all across the world, affecting more people than ever before.
Climate change is also affecting another major airborne trigger, mould, as well as contributing to increased incidence of thunderstorm asthma and insect bite allergies.
Rising Pollen Count due to Climate Change
Pollen counts have risen world wide, the most measurable study is from Europe over a 30 year period which analyzed the length of a pollen season, different types of pollen and the amount atmospherically in 13 different countries.
It showed an increasing trend in the yearly amount of airborne pollen and the length of time a pollen season lasts. While warmer temperatures have contributed to earlier and longer pollen seasons, it’s the increase of atmospheric CO2 levels that caused the escalation of pollen produced.
In New Zealand, “When scientists set up a pollen trap atop the Auckland War Memorial Museum [last year], they found days of high pollen volumes being recorded had jumped 75% compared to the last time measurements were done, 35 years ago.” – NZ Herald
In a recent study by Albertine et al, they looked at the impact of elevated CO2 and ozone (O3) on Timothy grass pollen and allergen production. While elevated O3 reduced the allergen content of the pollen, the elevated CO2 increased the amount of grass pollen produced by about 50% per flower.
These studies have a direct impact for Australians, as allergic sensitisation to Timothy Grass pollen in Australia is relatively common at 29.2% (Albertine et al.) Timothy grass primarily grows in the southern part of New South Wales, and in damp areas of South Western Australia.
This increase to the length of the pollen season and amount of pollen in the environment has resulted in many people experiencing hay fever symptoms for the first time, as their tolerance point is surpassed.
Climate Change Effects Mould Spores
Studies have also shown that mould spore production is also potentially impacted by climate change.
Recently scientists have shown experimentally that the mould species Alternaria, when grown on leaves of timothy grass plants grown at potential future elevated CO2 concentrations, produces nearly three times the number of spores and more than twice the total antigenic protein per plant than at lower CO2 concentrations.
Another study showed that overall Alternaria spore total antigenic protein increased with projected future CO2 concentrations. This is particularly concerning due to the widespread sensitisation to this mould species in Australia and New Zealand, particularly its association with childhood and adolescent asthma hospitalisations.
Increasingly extreme weather event such as tropical cyclones and flooding can also be associated with outbreaks of allergic reactions, as a result of the prolific growth of mould from flooding and water-damaged dwellings, further driving up the mould spore count.
You can learn more about the impacts mould exposure can have on our bodies in our blog/podcast “Mould Exposure, CIRS & Salicylate Intolerance“
Thunderstorm Asthma
In 2013, Melbourne experienced the most fatal thunderstorm asthma in the world. These thunderstorms are triggered by a combination of high grass pollen levels and a specific type of thunderstorm.
This resulted in thousands of people being rushed to hospital with respiratory-related symptoms and hundreds of excess asthma-related hospital admissions, 35 intensive care unit admissions and 10 deaths.
Grass pollen grains are light and can get caught up in the wind and travel for long distances. When they come into contact with rain droplets, some of the grains to burst open and break into tiny particles. These extra light particles become concentrated in the wind gusts that happen just before a thunderstorm.
These particles are so much smaller that they get breathed deeper into the lungs than usual, which can quickly trigger severe asthma symptoms or an asthma attack.
According to the National Asthma Council Australia, people who are allergic to ryegrass pollen are at the highest risk of thunderstorm asthma. Also, those who experience seasonal hay fever, even without any previous asthma symptoms, are at greater risk.
The incidence of thunderstorm asthma conditions are predicted to increase due to two major the ongoing impacts of climate change; an increased in storm events due to ocean and near-surface air warming effects and higher levels of pollen during pollen season.
Rising Insect Bite Allergies
Stinging insects can cause allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in people with an allergy to an insect’s venom. Warmer temperatures have caused some species to proliferate, increasing their numbers and becoming more widely geographically spread.
As the planet’s temperature continues to increase due to climate change, the mosquito season has lengthened across the world. A paper published in Nature in 2020 also discussed the warming of previously cooler areas leading to an increased geographical spread of many mosquito species.
Another study from Cuba also found an association with atopic diseases, particularly asthma, with the increased incidence of mosquito bite allergies. This is thought to be partially due to the significant impacts climate change has had on the mosquito population in the region.
Another example, fire ant populations have been discovered in Australia over the last 10 years, and their colonies are largest during the years with the highest daily temperatures.
Climate change has also been shown to affect plants that cause skin reactions, such as contact dermatitis. In a field experiment in the US, researchers showed that poison ivy plants grown under elevated atmospheric CO2 produced a more allergenic or toxic form of the active compound urushiol.
Natural Allergy Treatment
It’s clear to see the connection between climate change and allergies, as it’s a major contributor increasing allergy rates, and we will continue to see the effects in the coming years.
With limited medical treatment options for allergy sufferers, many of us are seeking a natural alternative to manage their symptoms.
At Health & Wellness Australia & Auckland (HWA), we use a technique called muscle testing (or kinesiology) to help pinpoint any reactions to a range food and environmental substances, which may be contributing your symptoms.
Following testing, you can work with your practitioner to address reactions to environmental triggers like pollen and mould, as well as insect bites, using a acupressure based natural allergy treatment called Positive Association Technique (PAT).
Get in touch
- Call us on 1300 853 023 / 09 479 5997 (NZ) to chat to our friendly staff
- Send us your question HERE
- Request a Free PAT Information E-PACK HERE
Written by our Expert PAT Naturopath – Jenny
Jenny Bates (Adv Dip Naturopathy, Dip Nutrition) has been a Naturopath performing PAT since 2004. Over that time, she has worked with countless clients in both our Sydney and Auckland clinics, and now assists with the training and mentoring of PAT practitioners all over Australia and NZ.
Please note that this blog post contains general information only. Always consult your health care professional regarding any medical condition.
