Risk assessment of pollen allergy in urban environments

Article Allergy

The climate change hypothesis for the allergy epidemic

Marc E. Rothenberg

Summary: The health consequences of climate change, particularly its impact on global allergy epidemic, require further research and action.

JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY (2022)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Projected climate-driven changes in pollen emission season length and magnitude over the continental United States

Yingxiao Zhang et al.

Summary: Atmospheric conditions and climate change affect the release of pollen and phenological shifts, with warmer temperatures and changes in precipitation leading to increased pollen emission and longer seasons. This can increase the likelihood of seasonal allergies.

NATURE COMMUNICATIONS (2022)

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Article Environmental Sciences

The priming effect of diesel exhaust on native pollen exposure at the air-liquid interface

Joana Candeias et al.

Summary: Pollen related allergic diseases have been increasing, and diesel exhaust may play a role. This study explored the priming effects of diesel exhaust on native pollen exposure for the first time. The results showed that diesel exhaust can make cells react more rapidly to pollen exposure, especially inflammation-related genes. These findings provide guidance for investigating the impact of modern diesel exhaust exposure on the development of allergic diseases.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2022)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Biodiversity, abundance, seasonal and diurnal airborne pollen distribution patterns at two different heights in Augsburg, Germany

Franziska Kolek et al.

Summary: Airborne pollen are the most important aeroallergens worldwide, and their seasonality and abundance have been significantly altered due to climate change. This study investigated the diversity, abundance, and temporal occurrence of airborne pollen, developing the first pollen season calendars for Augsburg, Germany. The findings suggest that pollen concentrations are often higher at rooftop-level, with earlier and longer pollen seasons compared to ground-level measurements.

ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Higher airborne pollen concentrations correlated with increased SARS-CoV-2 infection rates, as evidenced from 31 countries across the globe

Athanasios Damialis et al.

Summary: The study found that high pollen concentrations may lead to increased infection rates of SARS-CoV-2, especially in the absence of lockdown measures. Taking appropriate protective measures, such as wearing particle filter masks, can reduce the risk during high pollen concentrations.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Strong variations in urban allergenicity riskscapes due to poor knowledge of tree pollen allergenic potential

Rita Sousa-Silva et al.

Summary: Research shows that the allergenicity data for the same tree species in different cities can vary significantly, resulting from differences in pollen allergenicity datasets. It is mentioned in the text that in cities with high urbanization and where the canopy is dominated by only a few tree species, the differences in pollen exposure risk are more pronounced. Therefore, tree diversity in urban environments can modify the allergenic risk of urban forests.

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (2021)

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Review Biology

A systematic review of threshold values of pollen concentrations for symptoms of allergy

Nadine Steckling-Muschack et al.

Summary: The evaluation of studies showed a relationship between ash pollen concentrations and increased doctor's visits, while birch pollen was associated with increased drug consumption. Limited evidence was found for alder, hazel, mugwort, and ragweed pollen thresholds, highlighting the need for further investigation into influencing factors.

AEROBIOLOGIA (2021)

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Article Mechanics

On pollen and airborne virus transmission

Talib Dbouk et al.

Summary: This study demonstrates how pollen grains may increase the transmission rate of coronavirus in a population, especially during seasons and environments with high pollen concentrations. It suggests that public authorities should reconsider social distancing guidelines, particularly during the spring pollination period.

PHYSICS OF FLUIDS (2021)

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Article Allergy