Anthropogenic climate change and allergen exposure: The role of plant biology

Ziska, Lewis H.; Beggs, Paul J.

doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2011.10.032

Cited by 122 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 70 publications

(71 reference statements)

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“…Climate changes affect allergenic plants and pollen distribution worldwide [8][9][10]. Few health studies worldwide have addressed the complex interactions between climate and pollen.…”

Section: Pollen and Mould Allergensmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Experiments show that pollen production increases in higher atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations [9]. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that urbanisation, high levels of vehicle emissions and a westernised lifestyle are correlated with an increase in the frequency of pollen-induced respiratory allergy in people who live in urban areas compared with those who live in rural areas [10].…”

Section: Pollen and Mould Allergymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Climate change and respiratory diseases

D’Amato

Cecchi²,

D’Amato³

et al. 2014

European Respiratory Review

204

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@ERSpublications Climate change represents a threat to respiratory health by acting on respiratory diseases or their risk factors http://ow.ly/v6JElChanges in climate constitute a reality that, according to recent projections, is going to worsen in the coming years. Climate change represents a massive threat to respiratory health: 1) by directly promoting or aggravating respiratory diseases; or 2) by increasing exposure to risk factors for respiratory diseases. Climate change increases the amount of pollen and allergen produced by each plant, mould proliferation and the concentrations of outdoor ozone and particulate matter at ground level. The main diseases of concern are asthma, rhinosinusitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory tract infections. Groups at higher risk of climate change effects include individuals with pre-existing cardiopulmonary diseases or disadvantaged individuals. Adaptation and mitigation measures are strongly needed.It is now widely accepted that the earth's temperature is increasing, as confirmed by warming of the oceans, rising sea levels, glaciers melting, sea ice retreating in the Arctic and diminished snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere. Moreover, changes are also occurring in the amount, intensity, frequency and type of precipitation, as well as the increase of extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, floods and hurricanes [1][2][3]. Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is probably due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas (namely carbon dioxide, methane and the nitrous oxides) concentrations [1]. Projections of future greenhouse gas emissions indicate a worsening of the situation with between a 1.1 and 6.4uC increase in the mean temperature by the end of the 21st century [1].Climate change represents a massive direct threat to respiratory health by promoting or aggravating respiratory diseases or indirectly by increasing exposure to risk factors for respiratory diseases [4]. Climate affects weather, air and water quality, local and national food supplies, economics and many other critical health determinants. Observational evidence indicates that regional changes in climate, particularly temperature increases, affect a diverse set of physical and biological systems in many parts of the world [1, 2], some of which are of concern for respiratory health. A rapid rise has been observed in the number of hot days, such as the 2003 heat wave where temperatures of o35uC were reached resulting in ,40 000 excess deaths across Europe, mostly for cardiopulmonary causes [5,6]. Sea levels have also started to rise as an effect of a regression of the polar ice packs. Both heat waves and melting ice have led to water deprivation in certain

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“…Climate changes affect allergenic plants and pollen distribution worldwide [8][9][10]. Few health studies worldwide have addressed the complex interactions between climate and pollen.…”

Section: Pollen and Mould Allergensmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Pollen and Mould Allergymentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change and respiratory diseases

D’Amato

Cecchi²,

D’Amato³

et al. 2014

European Respiratory Review

204

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“…Long-term aerobiological surveys reveal an increasing in the yearly airborne pollen for many taxa in Europe, which are more prominent in urban areas [11]. Such aerobiological datasets evidence phenological and biogeographic shifts, both on the regional and continental scale, together with an increase in pollen allergenicity [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Airborne pollen in Funchal city, (Madeira Island, Portugal) – First pollinic calendar and allergic risk assessment

Camacho¹

2015

Ann Agric Environ Med.

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Introduction. Nowadays, pollen calendars are useful tools for clinical guidance intended for allergy sufferers, because they can be used to prevent and manage allergic respiratory diseases, thus improving the quality of life.Objectives. An aeropalinological study was performed in the city of Funchal with the purpose of establishing a pollen calendar and determining allergic risk, based on a seven year study (2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009). Material and Methods. The airborne pollen monitoring was carried out with a Hirst type volumetric spore trap, following well-established guidelines. Results. The mean annual pollen index was 1,635.09 and comprised 42 different pollen types. Airborne pollen levels were higher between March -June, accounting for 57.9% of the annual counts. Arboreal pollen grains (52.72%) prevailed in the atmosphere together with herbs and grasses (44.64%), while fern spores (2.29%) and unidentified pollen (0.35%) were scarce. The main pollen types were Urticaceae (20.64%), Poaceae (16.02%), Cupressaceae (13.61%), Pinaceae (9.07%), Myrtaceae (5.93%) and Ericaceae (5.02%). The pollen calendar comprised a total of 14 taxa and is similar to Mediterranean regions, with the exception of Olea europaea, Quercus sp., Betula sp. and Alnus sp. pollen types which are rare or absent. The main pollen season of major pollen taxa is significantly longer in Funchal (on average 239 days) than other European sites, especially for Urticaceae and Poaceae, but the pollen peaks were substantially lower. Conclusions. The pollen calendar for Funchal is the first ever created for Madeira region. Taking into account the low pollen index and number of allergy-risk days recorded (39 days in 7 years), the air quality of Funchal can be considered good.

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“…Global warming may also lead to prolongation of the pollen season [14][15][16] and occurrence of new allergens [17] in temperate zones, rendering asthma therapy and control more difficult in affected patients. Importantly, pollen is also increasingly found in regions that used to be nearly free of pollen, like higher altitudes in the Alps [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%