Strong new hay fever waves due to climate change expected

Millions of Europeans will experience new hay fever waves as a result of climate change
According to a recent study, climate change could "trigger a new hay fever wave for millions of people in the future," according to the latest release from MedUni Vienna. The number of people who suffer from hay fever due to ragweed pollen (ambrosia, ragweed) will double in just 35 years - from the current 33 million to 77 million, according to an EU research project with significant collaboration of scientists of the MedUni Vienna.

The recently published report on the FP7-EU project "Atopica" predicts a dramatic increase in pollen pollution due to climate change. This will trigger a new hay fever wave in "millions of people across Europe," according to MedUni Vienna. According to the researchers, climate change is responsible for two-thirds of the increase in ragweed pollen levels. "Higher ragweed pollen concentrations and a longer ragweed pollen season can also increase the severity of the symptoms," explain the scientists.

In the course of climate change, pollen levels will increase significantly across Europe, with drastic consequences for allergy sufferers. (Image: Budimir Jevtic / fotolia.com)

In the future, 77 million people affected
Ragweed is spreading in the wake of climate change in Germany increasingly. According to the researchers, pollens are a "widespread allergen" and "a single plant can produce about one billion pollen grains per season." As part of the research project, the scientists have "created maps of the estimated ragweed pollen counts during the pollen season and included them Combining the data, for example, where people live and how strong the burden of allergy is on the population, "reports MedUni Vienna. As a result, by 2050, the number of people affected will most likely more than double from 33 to 77 million people.

Problem for public health
"Ragweed pollen allergy is becoming a public health problem across Europe and is spreading to areas where this is rarely the case," says Michelle Epstein, Atopica Coordinator of MedUni Vienna. The physician from the Department of Dermatology at the MedUni Vienna warns of the consequences for allergy sufferers. "Hay fever is an allergic condition that affects some 40 percent of Europeans at some point in their lives," according to MedUni Vienna. Those affected are allergic to certain pollen such as tree pollen, grass pollen or herbal pollen. Eye itching, sneezing attacks, runny nose, watery eyes, coughing and shortness of breath are typical consequences. Also sufferers often feel tired and tired. In addition, as a result of pollen allergy, asthma may develop

For the first time effects of climate change on pollen allergy investigated
"Pollen allergy is a major public health problem worldwide, and we do not know exactly how climate change will affect us here," summed up the scientists at MedUni Vienna. The current research project is "the first study to assess the potential impact of climate change on pollen allergy." On the one hand, the potential impacts on ragweed plant proliferation, plant productivity, pollen production and dispersal were examined. On the other hand, the researchers examined the effects of this on the allergies in Europe.

Pollen season until mid-October
"The problem is likely to intensify in countries with an already existing ragweed problem, such as in Hungary and Croatia, but also in Germany, Poland and France," says Michelle Epstein of the study results. Increasing pollen concentrations and a longer ragweed pollen season will also increase the severity of the symptoms. According to current forecasts, the ragweed season will continue in most parts of Europe from mid-September to mid-October.

Massive costs of allergy diseases
The scientists also point to the costs associated with allergic diseases. "The EU's annual economic burden is currently estimated at 55-151 billion euros, and an ever-increasing pollen burden will increase costs," Epstein said , The proper management of this invasive plant could reduce the number of people affected by it to approximately 52 million, the expert said. However, with an uncontrolled, very rapid spread of plant invasion, the number of people affected could rise to about 107 million. The control of ragweed is therefore hugely important for public health and also essential as an adaptation strategy against the effects of climate change.

In addition, according to Michelle Epstein, "the impact of climate change is not limited to ragweed and may affect a number of other pollen-producing plant species." The current research provides a good framework for other studies, "the study the effects of climate change on pollen allergy in other plant species. "(fp)