International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery

Chandrika D et al. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 Jan;3(1):7-10

http://www.ijorl.com

pISSN 2454-5929 | eISSN 2454-5937

Review Article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20164802

Impact of climate changes on pollen and respiratory allergies

D. Chandrika1*, Anantharaju G. S.2

1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, 2Department of General surgery, SDM medical college, Dharwad, Karnataka, India

Received: 12 September 2016

Revised: 04 November 2016

Accepted: 10 November 2016

*Correspondence:

Dr. Chandrika D,

E-mail: chandrikad1508@gmail.com

Copyright: © the author(s), publisher and licensee Medip Academy. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

ABSTRACT

Climate change has become a global health hazard. Increasing temperature of earth and increased extreme weather events like heat waves, floods, droughts and hurricanes are increasing incidence of respiratory diseases. Hence, this study was conducted with the objective to increase awareness of pollen allergies- adapting to a changing climate and to address treatment and quality of life issues related to the care of patients with pollen allergies.

Keywords: Climate changes, Pollen allergy, Air pollution, Respiratory allergy

INTRODUCTION

Climate change has become a global health hazard. Increasing temperature of earth and increased extreme weather events like heat waves, floods, droughts and hurricanes are increasing incidence of respiratory diseases. Climate change is having a direct impact on increase in amount of pollen produced, earlier and longer pollen seasons thereby having impact on respiratory allergies.

In this review article we have analysed air borne pollen present in India and common allergenic plants of different seasons in India. Interconnected health effects between air pollution and climate change is also analysed. To conclude, measures to reduce effects of environmental factors affecting respiratory allergies are highlighted. The objectives of the present study was to increase awareness of pollen allergies- adapting to a changing climate and to address treatment and quality of life issues related to the care of patients with pollen allergies.1

CLIMATE CHANGE-A GLOBAL HEALTH HAZARD

Increasing temperature of earth and increased extreme weather events like droughts, floods, heat waves, hurricanes are causing direct threat to respiratory health by promoting or aggravating respiratory diseases or indirectly by increasing exposure to risk factors for respiratory diseases.2 There is increase in all India mean annual temperature by 0.50 c in period 1901-2003.3

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ALLERGIES

Pollen allergy

Climate changes increases plant growth and faster plant growth, increase in the amount of allergenic proteins contained in pollen, causes earlier and longer pollen seasons, increase in amount of pollen produced by each plant, increase in start time of plant growth and therefore start of pollen production.4

Respiratory allergies

Climate changes causes increase of heavy precipitation events (e.g. thunderstorm) thereby contributing to asthma epidemics. Climate changes causes global warming resulting in increase of length and intensity and earlier start of pollen season, increase occurrence of episodes of long distance transport of pollen and pollutants.5

Figure 1: Mean annual temperature changes in India. | 25.40 Mean Tempearture (ºC)- India3 25.13 24.69 24.55 24.29 24.60 24.66 24.23 24.06 23.91 25.20 25.00 24.80 24.60 24.40 24.20 Temperature 24.00 23.80 23.60 23.40 23.20 1901 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 2010 2011 2012 Year
Figure 1: Mean annual temperature changes in India.
Figure 2: Climate changes and air pollution in various countries. | India China Japan Russia Bangladesh Nigeria Pakisthan Brazil Indonesia U.S. 0 10 20 30 40 2013 PM2.5 1990 PM2.5 50 60 70 80
Figure 2: Climate changes and air pollution in various countries.
Table 1: Air borne pollen present in india.6
Name of allergenhabitatNorthSouthEastWest
AilanthusT+--+
AlnusT+-+-
AgemoneW+---
ArtemisiaW++++
AzadirachtaT+---
BorrassusT---+
BrassicaW+-++
CassiaT++--
CasurinaT--+-
CedrusT+-+-
Cheno- AmrathW-+--
CoccusT-+++
CyonodonG+-+-
DonoeaW+--+
HolopteleaT+---
MalotusT+-++
MorusT+---
PartheniumW--+-
PennisetumG+-++
PhoenixT-++-
ProsiopusT+---
SalvodoraT+---
SorghumG+-+-
SyzigiumT-+--
XanthiumW+--+
Table 2: Common allergenic plants of different seasons in India.7
Table reproduced from source PDF page 3

CLIMATE CHANGE AND AIR POLLUTION

Interconnected health effects8

There is consistent increase in PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter 2.5 µm or smaller. Chronic exposure contributes to risk of respiratory and CV diseases and lung cancer) in India and South Asia over past 23 years.9

Measures to reduce effects of environmental factors affecting respiratory allergies

• Encourage policies to promote access to non-polluting sources of energy, reducing use of fossil fuels

• Control vehicle emissions

• Reduce private traffic in towns and improving public transport

• Plant non allergenic trees and grasses in cities

Table 3: Traffic related pollution in developing allergic rhinitis symptoms.10-12
Table reproduced from source PDF page 4

CONCLUSION

This article highlights the impact of climate changes on pollen and respiratory allergies. Global warming and extreme weather events are causing direct threat to respiratory health. Air borne pollen and allergenic plants in India are analysed. Traffic pollution is also having significant impact on respiratory health. Adopting measures like usage of non-polluting sources of energy, controlling vehicle emissions, using public transport and planting non allergenic plants should be encouraged.

Funding: No funding sources

Conflict of interest: None declared

Ethical approval: Not required

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