The impact of climate change on pollen allergy in Korea

ABSTRACT

Weather may alter the concentrations of pollens which can subsequently influence the occurrence of allergic diseases. Many studies have demonstrated that greenhouse gases increase pollen concentration. Daily fluctuations in the pollen concentration have to do with a variety of meteorological factors such as temperature, rainfall and sunshine amount; therefore, it is complicated. At least more than 10 weather elements that affect the concentration of pollen. Earlier pollination and rising pollen concentrations have been reported in many countries. Most studies have focused on analysis of their relationships with local meteorological and climatic factors. Observed pollen data at locations representing a wide range of geographic and climatic conditions should be analyzed statistically to identify pollination date, pollen season length, and annual mean and peak values of daily concentrations of pollen. The seasonal and regional variations of pollen have also been changed in South Korea with climate change. There were evaluated sensitization rate to pollen in South Korea since 1997. Sensitization rates for weed and tree pollens are increased in Korean children, especially with increasing pollen concentration of ragweed and Japanese hop. It has been demonstrated that urbanization correlate with the increasing pollen allergies. However, the effects of environmental change on allergic diseases have not yet been completely understood. Recently there have been many epidemiological studies on the relationship between allergic diseases and climate changes. Previous studies suggest that climate changes interact with and affect pollen allergy, which in turn increases the frequency and severity of allergic disease.