A large amount of emissions into the atmosphere of our planet contributes to an increase in average temperature, which, in turn, can lead to catastrophic consequences in the very near future. However, today experts are also concerned about the impact of climate change on human health. The gradual increase in temperature and record heat, which took place in July this year, can significantly worsen the quality of life of many people around the world. Scientists note that allergy sufferers will be among the first to experience climate change.
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How can climate change cause allergies?
Those who are familiar with the myths of Ancient Greece know that ambrosia was called the food of the gods, which gave them power. In fact, ambrosia is a weed that looks like a shrub.
All this is very cool, if not for one thing — in the modern world there is such a disease as ragweed pollinosis. Pollinosis is a seasonal allergy that people suffer from during the flowering of some plants. Pollinosis manifests itself as a sore throat, nasal congestion, itching and redness of the eyes. Often, pollinosis is accompanied or complicated by asthma.
How can climate change cause allergies? Ragweed is the cause of allergies. Scientists have proven that this plant will thrive in the process of climate change. Photo.
Ragweed is the cause of allergies. Scientists have proven that this plant will thrive in the process of climate change
Despite the fact that there are a large number of plants whose pollen provokes the development of allergies, today the attention of specialists is focused on ragweed. You can find more facts about climate change on our Yandex Zen channel.
Ragweed pollinosis is the main threat to the health of allergy sufferers
Ragweed pollinosis is a quarantine weed native to North America. The plant appeared in Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century. In the south of the country, ragweed blooms from late July to mid-October, causing allergies. Externally, ambrosia resembles a green and yellow shrub. The allergen strength of this small weed exceeds its size: one plant can produce up to 1 billion pollen grains, causing damage to those who are allergic to pollen.
Global temperature rise has a positive effect on the growth and flowering of ragweed, which will greatly complicate the lives of a large number of people. An additional warm 30 days is expected to prolong the life and flowering of ragweed and other plants that cause hay fever.
Allergists say that the number of ragweed plants has increased over the past few years, which is a consequence of a longer growing season. According to Stanley Fineman, MD, former president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, there has been a trend in the past few years towards an increase in the number of ragweed plants. This is partly due to the increased length of the season and the general warming of the climate.
