Mar 1, 2010
Possible role of climate changes in variations in pollen seasons and allergic sensitizations during 27 years
by
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Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
- Assesses variations in pollens and allergic sensitizations across 27 years in relation to climate change in a specific region
- Records pollen counts, season durations, and prevalences of sensitizations for 5 major pollens (birch, cypress, olive, grass, and Parietaria) in western Liguria, Italy between 1981 and 2007
- Finds a progressive increase in the duration of the pollen seasons for Parietaria (+85 days), olive (+18 days), and cypress (+18 days), with an overall advance of their start dates
- Results indicate the progressive climate changes, with increased temperatures, may modify the global pollen load and affect the rate of allergic sensitization across long periods