Next spring is expected to be tough for allergy sufferers. The forecast on the levels of pollen and spores in the atmosphere in Catalonia for the coming months indicates that they will be high, that spring pollinations will start normally and with strength. The experts from the Aerobiological Network of Catalonia of the ICTA-UAB and the Department of Plant Biology and Ecology of the UAB explained yesterday in a press conference that, despite the high temperatures and the drought we are experiencing, the trees (and in (especially cypress trees) have been extraordinarily loaded with flowers and release a lot of pollen, with very high concentration peaks, which can cause people who have never suffered from allergies to start developing them.
This year, winter pollinations of cypress, hazel and ash have exceeded historical averages (not all-time highs) recorded since 1994. And although the allergy risk period began in January, they predict that s ‘extend well into April (especially for the cypress). On the other hand, the pollinations that usually announce the arrival of spring, such as the shadow plantain and the parietaria (both highly allergenic), have already begun to manifest themselves despite the recent episodes of losses temperatures, and significant amounts of pollen are expected to start being released this week, so experts recommended that allergy sufferers start taking precautions.
Weather models indicate that March, April and May will be slightly warmer than usual and, in terms of rainfall, the first two will be normal and May drier than usual. For all this, the team of the Aerobiological Network of Catalonia led by researcher Jordina Belmonte predicts that the spring pollinations with more allergens, such as that of the banana, parietaria and grasses, but also of poplar, maple, pine, willow, mulberry and, later, birch, amaranth, herbaceous and olive, begin strongly and have the usual duration.
It should be noted that these predictions could be altered if there were episodes of heavy rain that would wash pollen down, which would reduce allergies. But if there are intermittent rains that water the plants that will flower, they could increase pollen levels and prolong their presence in the air. On the other hand, if the temperatures are high, the pollination of the herbs could be shortened. Also strong wind could increase or decrease the concentration of pollen in an area depending on whether it blows from the sea to land or if it comes from areas with pollen.
The team led by Belmonte has studied the evolution of seven types of pollen and one fungal spore in nine localities since 1994 and has observed that Tarragona and Girona are the areas where they are decreasing the most, while in Lleida it is where more they increase. And they have detected that tree pollen tends to rise (especially banana and olive), while herbaceous pollen shows a decreasing trend.
Dr. Teresa Garriga Baraut, of the Catalan Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, said in a press conference that the most common allergy in Catalonia is respiratory: more than two million people suffer from it and the forecast is that the number will have doubled by 2050. Allergists estimate that 25% of the population suffers from rhinitis, accompanied by allergic conjunctivitis or not, and up to 12% suffer from allergic asthma, and the Pollen grains are the first cause of rhinoconjunctivitis and the second cause of asthma. And they warn that the problem will worsen as a result of climate change and pollution. High temperatures and higher carbon dioxide levels promote pollen production, thus extending the exposure season and increasing the concentration of allergens.
