The Effects of Climate Change on Seasonal Allergies
Climate change is happening everywhere and will affect us in many different ways. Changes in temperature, the weather and Co2 rates have increased the severity and the amount of people who have seasonal allergies world wide. Australia and New Zealand have some of the highest rates of asthma in the world, and almost 1 in 5 Australians have hayfever. Grass pollen levels across Australia are increasing, along with mould spore production from flooding posing a real threat to the health of many Australians.
How does climate change affect pollen?
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. Interestingly, it wasn’t the rising temperature to be the biggest factor but the increase of atmospheric CO2 levels that caused the escalation of pollen produced.
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. This would more than likely cause an increase in reactions to this pollen.
These studies have a direct impact on Australia due to the fact that allergic sensitisation to Timothy Grass pollen in Australia is relatively common at 29.2% (Albertine et al.) Timothy grass grows in the southern part of New South Wales, and in damp areas of South Western Australia.
Climate change’s effect on mould spores
Studies have also shown that mould spore exposure is affected 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, which is a worry due to the widespread sensitisation to this fungus in Australia and New Zealand, and its association with childhood and adolescent asthma hospitalisations. 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.
Thunderstorm asthma
It is not just heat and CO2 that can cause allergies to rise, in 2016 Melbourne had the most fatal epidemic thunderstorm asthma in the world. These thunderstorms are triggered by a combination of high grass pollen levels and a certain type of thunderstorm.
The grass pollen grains get caught up in the wind and travel for long distances which can cause some of the grains to burst open and release tiny particles that become concentrated in the wind gusts that happen just before a thunderstorm. These particles are so small that they get breathed deep into the lungs, which can quickly cause asthma symptoms making it hard to breathe.
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.
Rising insect bite allergies
Stinging insects can cause allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in people with an allergy to an insect’s venom. Warmer temperatures can cause some species to proliferate, increasing their numbers and becoming more widely spread in areas otherwise unpopulated by them. For 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 (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
As you can see climate change is having a huge impact on these airborne triggers. As Co2 levels rise, and extreme meteorological events are forecast to increase in frequency and/or severity, it is more important than ever to get on top of any reactions you have now, to lighten the load on your immune system and prevent new reactions from developing.
At Health & Wellness Australia & Auckland (HWA), we use a technique called muscle testing (or kinesiology) to help identify reactions to environmental substances, such as pollen and mould species. Following testing, you can work with your practitioner to address these reactions using a 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.
