Environmental analysis news: Climate change 'may have caused allergy increase'

Climate change may be exacerbating the effects of allergies due to the possible impact it has had on pollen seasons, it has been suggested.

According to Reuters, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology was told by a team from Italy this week that air monitoring had revealed an increase in the length and severity of pollen seasons over the last six years.

At the same, the proportion of people reacting to the allergens observed by the study went up, although the researchers said it was uncertain as to whether longer pollen seasons were the cause.

There has been a substantial rise in allergy cases over the last few decades, with many fold increases in areas such as asthma and eczema.

An Allergy Clinic article looking at the possible causes did not mention climate change as one of the main theories, instead pointing to pollution, excessive hygiene, changes in eating habits, modern medicine and early exposure.

Written by Joseph Hutton