The article discusses how climate change is leading to longer and more intense pollen seasons, resulting in more severe hay fever symptoms for allergy sufferers. Medical student Alisha Pershad observed these worsening symptoms in patients during her clinical shadowing. A review of multiple studies highlighted that global warming has already lengthened pollen seasons in North America by 20 days since 1990 and could advance spring blooms by up to 40 days by the century's end. The review indicates rising pollen concentrations are also affecting people's quality of life, leading to increased school and work absences.
Back when she was in her first year of medical school at George Washington University, Alisha Pershad would shadow other doctors at the ear, nose and throat clinic. She quickly noticed a trend among hay fever sufferers. ALISHA PERSHAD: I would hear people in clinic talk about how their symptoms had been getting worse. It was a very common complaint that I saw firsthand. And, more importantly, I saw how much it impacted those patients' quality of life.
We are seeing that with rising global temperatures as a result of climate change, that pollen seasons are lengthening. So they are starting earlier and ending later.
For example, one study found the pollen season had already gotten 20 days longer in North America between 1990 and 2018. Another study projected that by the end of the century, warming temperatures would bring blooms as many as 40 days sooner in the spring, and keep weeds and grasses releasing pollen up to 19 days later in the fall.
Several studies also found an increase in the average daily concentration of pollen, which might not surprise those of us used to seeing our cars coated in yellow dust at this time of year.
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