Everyone thinks as they want, on the climate. But there is no doubt that The allergies are growing, and they will suffer more and more people, especially among children but not only. In short, we are faced with a real Health emergency.
There has been an increase of allergic and respiratory diseases all over the world in the last two decades of 30%. And the WHO provides that In 2050 50% of the entire world population It will be affected by allergies, especially children. The increase in global temperatures, the alteration of weather models and the intensification of extreme climatic events. The experts of SIAIP (Italian Society Allergology and Pediatric Immunology) launch a appeal in eight points to face the situation.
Pollution and climate
Explains Michele Miraglia Del Giudice, Siaip president:
“Global warming causes a Advance of the Pollinical season In many regions of the world that allows the increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide, a substance capable of stimulating greater production of pollen aside, for example, of Betulle and Ambrosiaresponsible for many allergic reactions “.
In this sense, Children pay the highest price. Gianluigi Marseglia, Past President of Siaip, reports that
“The increase in tropospheric ozone can aggravate allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis. A Swedish study underlines how exposure to pollen in the first months of life or even in intrauterine life is associated with a greater probability of allergic awareness and onset of respiratory diseases “.
According to the data of “Save the Children”, in Italy 8.4% of children between 6 and 7 years of age suffers from asthma related to pollution. 81.4% live in areas polluted by fine dust100% in 8 regions: Emilia Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont Puglia, Trentino and Veneto.
But why atmospheric pollution (in particular PM2.5 and PM10) represents one of the main threats for the respiratory health of children?
“These pollutants penetrate deeply into the respiratory tissues cause chronic inflammation that negatively influences the immune system and thus increases the susceptibility to allergies”
comments Miraglia of the judge.
From the environment to health
These data certify how they are not only witnessing an environmental crisis but one real global health emergency. The increase in global temperatures, the increase in CO2 concentrations and the increase in air pollution are intensifying allergic diseases, especially among children.
According to a study published in Allergy, atmospheric CO2 levels increased by 48% since the pre-industrial era, stimulating one Greater production of Pollinthe. The concentrations of Polline of Ambrosia, for example, have quadrupled in the last 30 years and will continue to grow. Furthermore, the duration of the Pollinical season has increased on average by 20 daysexposing millions of people to more serious and prolonged allergic symptoms. It is estimated that in children under the age of 4 there has been a global increase of 17% in cases of asthma related to this phenomenon.
The risk in closed environments
In addition to pollenalso the mold represent a growing threat: the increase in rainfall and floods promotes the proliferation of the spores of Alternating And Cladosporiumknown for their triggering role in respiratory allergies and asthma attacks. The prevalence of raising awareness of these allergens has increased by about 30% in the last two decades.
Extreme climatic conditions are amplifying the spread of fungal sporesknown for their impact on respiratory diseases. In addition, the poor quality of indoor airaggravated by buildings not adequately ventilated and built with polluting materials, contributes to the spread of the Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), A set of allergic and respiratory symptoms linked to non -healthy closed environments. Interventions to improve the quality of buildings are essential to prevent these problems and reduce the impact on allergic diseases.
A study published on the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health has shown that In urban centers with high levels of pollutionthe prevalence of infantile asthma is 40% higher than rural areas. The combination of allergens and pollutants makes cities a particularly hostile environment for those suffering from allergic pathologies. In addition, a recent editorial published on Jaci: in Practice has highlighted how extreme atmospheric conditions have increased not only the duration and intensity of the pollen season, with the appearance of new allergens (as Ailanthus, Cupressum Arizonica) but also forest fires are supervised special, as they are worsening the quality of the air and enhancing the inflammatory response respiratory response.
The proposals of the experts
To counteract the growing impact of allergies related to climate change, a global approach is essential. Siaip underlines the importance of developing JUST RESEARCH PROGRAMS At European and international level to monitor and study the effects of climate change on allergies. Transnational scientific collaborations and the sharing of data between research institutes can improve the understanding of these phenomena and support the development of new prevention and care strategies.
Here are the 8 things to do according to specialists.
- Pollution control plans: reduction of urban emissions to improve air quality; Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
- Strengthening of strategies of public health through measures such as the improvement of ventilation and the control of humidity
- Delete Indoor polluting sourceslike cigarette and electronic cigarette smoke.
- Sustainable urban design: increase in green areas to reduce the dispersion of allergens, targeted interventions to improve air quality, reduce air pollution and improve the quality of buildings to prevent Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), through better ventilation, the use of non -polluting materials and the reduction of indoor humidity.
- Pollinical monitoring: creation of early alert systems to inform the population correctly and on time.
- Education and awareness: inform the population about preventive risks and strategies. Dissemination of timely information on allergen levels in the air.
- Research and innovation: development of new therapies and strategies to improve the management of environmental allergies.
- International collaboration: Development of research programs joined at European and global level to study the effects of climate change on allergies.
