Assessment of the risks associated with the invasive weed Ambrosia artemisiifolia in urban environments in Romania

Abstract

Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed) is an invasive weed with rapid spread during the last decades in many European countries, representing an important problem for the environment and for public health, due to its highly allergenic pollen. Data from the European Aeroallergen Network (EAN) confirm the continuous increase of infested areas and of the atmospheric ragweed pollen load. A. artemisiifolia is responsible for significant health and economic impact in the most infested areas from Central Europe, mainly Hungary and neighboring countries, including Romania. Despite generally occurring in dry and abandoned fields, along railways and roadsides, Ambrosia is now recognized as part of urban vegetation in some big cities, contributing to increased risk of air pollution and of respiratory diseases. The aim of our paper is to review the data regarding spread and problematic of Ambrosia in some big cities of Romania, mainly the capital and the actual public activities undertaken to reduce its consequences. Our data showed that Ambrosia is a real and increasing danger for human health in Romania, mainly due to its rapid spread in urban environment and increasing number of affected persons. There is an urgent need for more coordinated efforts and sustainable management of this problem, to reduce impact of Ambrosia in urban environment, to establish a national aerobiology network and to continue collaboration with European institutions and specialists in this field.

Biologic Pollution Due to Ambrosia (Ragweed) Pollen in Urban Environment of Bucharest

“…Its management needs strong and constant determination and implication of political and social decision factors and professional institutions, based on international regulations. An accelerated spread of Ambrosia has been observed in Romania since the early 2000s, mostly in the western regions and extending to the south and east [ 21 ].…”

“…Romania is considered one of the European countries with high Ambrosia infestation rates, and this plant is now seen as a serious threat to both human health and the environment, raising significant public concern [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Comparison of Ambrosia L. Pollen Seasons in Lublin (Poland) and Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine) and Presentation of the Morphotypes of Trichomes on A. artemisiifolia L. Shoots in Terms of the Allergenic Properties of the Plant

“…The degree of invasiveness of the plant was estimated as very high [3]. In France [28], Austria [29], Hungary [30], Romania [31], and other European countries, A. artemisiifolia is mainly a nuisance weed in crop fields, meadows, pastures, orchards, and vineyards. However, it is the commonest along waterways, roads, railways, and wasteland.…”

Clinical pattern and risk factors of respiratory allergies due to Ambrosia (ragweed) pollen: experience of one allergy center from Bucharest

“…Actual trends of ragweed expansion in Europe include geographical expansion of the infested areas to the Northern and Eastern Europe due to climate change and the ability of ragweed pollen to be transported at long distances, situated at hundreds of kilometers from the source areas 11 . Romania is included among the most Ambrosia infested countries in Europe and this plant is now considered a real danger for human health and for the environment, rising a major public concern 12 . Recent studies confirm spatial and temporal variations in airborne Ambrosia pollen between European countries and the importance of continuous pollen monitoring in all countries, as well as correlations with health data from allergists regarding affected people 13 .…”