A latest research published in the PLOS ONE journal shows climate change-driven ecological changes are directly connected to allergic disease burden in the United States. According to the University of Maryland News report, even a relatively small change at the flowering time of tree can have a significant economic impact. It is assessed that every year 25 million American adults already suffer from hay fever.
The University’s research team found that seasonal hay fever increases when the timing of spring "green-up" changes. Wherever the onset of spring was earlier than normal had 14% higher prevalence of hay fever. Surprisingly, they even found similar risk in the areas where the onset of spring was much later than which is typical for that geographic location.
The study also determined that the earlier onset of warmer spring weather means trees flower sooner. This would cause a longer season of tree pollen, which is the major source of spring allergies. On the other hand, due to lingering winters, a very late start to spring may cause many tree species to burst into bloom all at once, blasting allergy sufferers with a high concentration of pollen for a shorter period.
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