As parts of the northern hemisphere emerges from winter and looks forward to spring, for millions of people living in the US and elsewhere seasonal allergies are already causing significant discomfort, with pollutants reaching levels not previously seen and in some areas lasting much longer into the calendar year.
Rising temperatures, caused by global heating, are increasingly to blame, as they expand the pollen season, accelerate the onset of pollination and increase the amount of the allergen produced.
The financial burden is high, with costs running to billions of dollars per year as a result of lost workdays, medicines and medical consultations, while in more serious cases pollen allergies can lead to emergency room visits and exacerbate existing health problems.
There is also emerging concern that it is not just pollen that is causing worsening allergies, but that other allergens such as mould spores, and particulates from air pollution and wildfires, are also exacerbating the problem.
Furthermore, while some areas in the US are relatively well adapted to deal with the increasing levels of allergies, for low-income communities the problem is much worse as underlying health issues and the detrimental impact of living in urban areas with high pollution levels take their toll.
