The effects of climate change on respiratory allergy and asthma induced by pollen and mold allergens

Abstract

The impact of climate change on the environment, biosphere, and biodiversity has become more evident in the recent years. Human activities have increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases. Change in climate and the correlated global warming affects the quantity, intensity, and frequency of precipitation type as well as the frequency of extreme events such as heat waves, droughts, thunderstorms, floods, and hurricanes. Respiratory health can be particularly affected by climate change, which contributes to the development of allergic respiratory diseases and asthma. Pollen and mold allergens are able to trigger the release of pro‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory mediators that accelerate the onset the IgE‐mediated sensitization and of allergy. Allergy to pollen and pollen season at its beginning, in duration and intensity are altered by climate change. Studies showed that plants exhibit enhanced photosynthesis and reproductive effects and produce more pollen as a response to high atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO2). Mold proliferation is increased by floods and rainy storms are responsible for severe asthma. Pollen and mold allergy is generally used to evaluate the interrelation between air pollution and allergic respiratory diseases, such as rhinitis and asthma. Thunderstorms during pollen seasons can cause exacerbation of respiratory allergy and asthma in patients with hay fever. A similar phenomenon is observed for molds. Measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can have positive health benefits.

Advances and novel developments in allergic rhinitis

“…48 Similarly, changes in environmental factors, such as temperature and climate change, can lead to changes in allergens such as pollen, which can induce or aggravate the symptoms of AR. 49…”

Global warming, climate change, air pollution and allergies

“…These environmental changes are correlated with the increased frequency of respiratory allergic diseases and bronchial asthma observed over recent decades in most industrialized countries and is continuously rising in developing countries. [1][2][3][4][5] This issue of Allergy focuses on the interrelationship between climate change, air pollution and human health. [3][4][5][6][7] Climate change is an important medical aspect in allergology as we are observing an increasing incidence of allergic diseases indirectly related to rising temperatures and are becoming a high socio-economic burden.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] This issue of Allergy focuses on the interrelationship between climate change, air pollution and human health. [3][4][5][6][7] Climate change is an important medical aspect in allergology as we are observing an increasing incidence of allergic diseases indirectly related to rising temperatures and are becoming a high socio-economic burden. [1][2][3]8 Allergies and asthma appear to be at the front line of the sequelae of climate change along with infectious and cardiovascular diseases.…”

“…[1][2][3]8 Allergies and asthma appear to be at the front line of the sequelae of climate change along with infectious and cardiovascular diseases. 1,5 Cecchi et al focus on the development and exacerbation of allergic diseases can be explained in terms of the exposome, a concept that includes all the environmental exposures from conception onwards. Multiple factors can trigger a pollen-induced respiratory allergy, such as airborne endotoxin levels and microbial composition of pollen, and these comprise a "pollen exposome".…”

“…Phenological studies indicate longer pollen seasons and emerge earlier in the year. 1,4,5,8 Pollen and mold allergies are generally used to evaluate the interrelationship between air pollution and allergic respiratory diseases, such as rhinitis and asthma. Studies show that plants exhibit enhanced photosynthesis and reproductive effects and produce more pollen as a response to high atmospheric levels of CO 2 .…”