Allergies and climate change

Allergies rising with climate change, pollution
Kent Spencer, The ProvincePublished: Wednesday, March 26, 2008
To some, spring flowers are just pollen. But to thousands of allergy sufferers, they're appallin'.
Dr. Ross Chang says allergies are on the rise worldwide due to increased pollution, drought and climate change.
"This season has been very busy in the Lower Mainland," said Chang, president of the B.C. Society of Allergy and Immunology. "The number of people with allergies seems to be increasing every year."


Recent studies on the problem include one from United Nations climate experts and another from Dr. Paul Epstein of Harvard Medical School.
Strong links were found between greenhouse gases and growth of pollinating plant pests. Dust has also increased in areas of drought.
Epstein said more allergies will strain the health system and burden the economy, which will suffer from worker absences due to ill health.
Chang believes this spring's hot and cold spells have caused plants' reproductive systems to go into overdrive for short periods.
"Pollen levels aren't higher. They're coming in spikes. It seems to be caused by more weather extremes," he said. "Before, plants would pollinate in an orderly fashion."
Earlier this year, a weather channel reported trees in Vancouver were emitting 400 grains of pollen per cubic metre, five times higher than normal. Moderate pollen emissions are between 21 and 80.
"Some days, it seems like a horrible season," Chang said. "How bad it will be depends on the weather. It's kind of like planning a wedding and not knowing if it will rain."
Pollen is one of several tiny particles that trigger allergies. Others include dust, mould, air pollution, and dog and cat hair.
"Allergies are not simply coming from trees and grass in the summertime," said Chang.
He said the body's immune system "seeks to destroy" the particles because it believes they are carrying disease, which they aren't.
"They're just irritants," he said.
The condition results in watery and swollen eyes, a runny nose, itchy throat and shortness of breath.
"If you're working at a desk, fluid from your nose drips on to the paper.
"It can be hard to function," he said.
Treatments include taking antihistamines, prescription nasal sprays and eye drops, allergy tests and injections. Chang said one-third of the Lower Mainland's two-million-plus residents have allergies.
Christina Pedersen, 27, of Coquitlam said the effects can be terrible.
"I break out in hives," she said. "My eyes swell up so badly there are times when I can't work. I would be in a hideous mess without injections. I think it has been getting worse over the years."
kspencer@png.canwest.com