Pollen has exploded to eye-watering levels this spring in some parts of the country after warm weather pushed plants out of their winter slumber much earlier than normal.
In Atlanta, the pollen count sky rocketed to "extremely high" in early March and stayed high through much of April, according to the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma physicians practice. Farther north in Washington, DC, allergy sufferers have been dreading the lime-green film of pollen covering that covers windshields and porches and piles up on streets and sidewalks.
But these aren't isolated trends. As the planet warms, researchers say allergy season is starting earlier and lasting longer. And a study from the journal Nature published last year found that pollen count is projected to increase by 200% by the end of the century if planet-warming pollution continues to rise.
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Climate Central, a nonprofit focused on climate news and research, recently analyzed how warmer temperatures have affected allergy season in 203 US cities since 1970.
It found that on average, the growing season — the period between the last freeze in spring to the first freeze of fall — is lasting 16 days longer in the Southeast, 15 days longer in the Northeast and 14 days longer in the South.
In the West, growing season is 27 days longer on average, Climate Central reported. Reno, Nevada, for example, has seen a shocking increase of 99 days.
And a longer growing season means a longer allergy season.
Oak trees are pumping out pollen in the Southeast, contributing to record-high levels early in the season.
"Because of climate change, we're now seeing an earlier and longer growing season for plants, which of course make pollen, which is the enemy of many Americans that suffer from pollen allergies — and mold allergies as well," Lauren Casey, a meteorologist with Climate Central, told CNN. "Pollen can also trigger an asthma attack, which of course is much more serious for people that suffer from asthma."
When plants reproduce, typically during the spring, many release tiny pollen grains that are carried by wind. The pollen grains are small enough to be inhaled, and some people's immune systems react very poorly to the miniscule particles.
More than 24 million people in the US have pollen-induced respiratory allergies like hay fever, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The center's data shows that more than one in four adults suffered from seasonal allergies in 2021.
A longer and earlier start to pollen season could trigger a public health emergency, researchers say. As temperatures get warmer in the South and drought plagues the Southwest, pollen from plants like ragweed or poaceae — a plant that typically grows in grasslands or salt-marshes — is projected to be higher across those regions than in the North.
Wind-driven pollen, which plays an important role in plant fertilization, is closely tied to temperature and precipitation changes. So, as spring seasons get warmer earlier due to climate change, plants could pollinate much earlier and for a longer period of time than they currently do.
Mold allergens on the rise
Plant pollen isn't the only trigger of seasonal allergies. Mold, a type of fungi that reproduces with tiny airborne spores, can also be allergenic for some people and can exacerbate seasonal allergies, according to the report.
While outdoor mold is not as well-studied as pollen, according to the report, one thing is clear: Warmer and wetter weather — conditions that many locations are seeing more of amid the climate crisis — is favorable for mold development.
"With climate change, we're seeing increases in warming in all seasons, but particularly the fastest warming season for most locations across the US is the winter season," Casey said. "So now we're dealing with mold at a time of year that we typically wouldn't."
Casey also pointed out that the climate crisis is making extreme precipitation more likely, which provides that crucial dampness for mold to grow. The report highlights the link between allergens and thunderstorms, which researchers say spread pollen and mold spores through the air more efficiently.
"The problem with pollen grains is that when they get wet, they rupture, and they break into tinier bits called sub-pollen particles," Casey said. "Those tinier bits are more easily dispersed by the wind when they dry out, and they have an easier time getting into your nasal passages."
What can you do to manage allergies?
Dr. Mitchell Grayson, chair of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's Medical Scientific Council and chief of the division of allergy and immunology at Nationwide Children's Hospital, said he has seen pollen allergies arrive earlier than usual.
"In general, we may be seeing people a little earlier in the spring with symptoms — so mid-February from what might have been early March in the past — but there is significant year-to-year variability in this," he told CNN. "I haven't seen worse symptoms, but I'm in a hospital that provides specialist care, and we do see people with all ranges of severity."
The treatment of allergies won't change even as the season gets longer, Grayson said. But it's important to be aware of what you're allergic to and know where these triggers are in the environment.
Experts recommend:
- Staying indoors, especially early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when most plants release pollen.
- Wear masks outdoors when possible to mitigate the effects, Amiji said.
- Keeping windows closed in your home and car to minimize your exposure to pollen particles.
- Changing air filters more frequently for your A/C and heating systems in your home and car, according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Preparing early by stocking up on anti-allergy medications. If you use a steroid nasal spray, Grayson said it's important to start using it one to two weeks before your allergy season and to continue through the full season.
Casey, the meteorologist, also noted that allergy season could be a financial burden on low-income families, especially those whose members have asthma, due to the "billions of dollars spent a year on the medical costs of asthma and allergies."
She said awareness is key, especially as the world pumps more carbon pollution into the atmosphere, which could worsen allergy seasons.
"You know your own body and are aware of what a typical year is going to look like for you, especially if you're an allergy sufferer," she said. "But that whole paradigm is changing with this increase in the growing season, so having awareness that you may be suffering now and going forward in times of the year when you typically wouldn't, so be prepared for that in your daily life."
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10 invasive plants that can also trigger allergies
10 invasive plants that can also trigger allergies
Every spring, many people’s thoughts turn to allergies. Common allergens are plants or weeds known as noxious weeds. Federal, state, and local authorities legally categorize noxious weeds or plants to be deleterious to people, wildlife, and agriculture. Many noxious plants or weeds are also considered invasive, meaning they are not native to the local ecosystem or even native to the U.S.
Humans often spread invasive species, albeit unintentionally. For example, large ships can carry aquatic organisms in ballast water and small boats can carry them on their propellers. Seeds from plants used for ornamental purposes can spread, allowing them to grow in the wild.
Every spring through autumn, plants release tiny pollen grains that fertilize plants of the same species. Most flowering plants that spread their pollen by insects do not cause allergies. Weeds, grasses, and trees are the primary sources of pollen that can cause allergies. An allergy to pollen is called allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever.
Wyndly compiled a list of 10 invasive species and outlined how they impact seasonal allergies, citing data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Invasive Species Atlas. Plants such as ragweed, which is native to the entire continental U.S., are not included.
Dalmatian toadflax
- Scientific name: Linaria dalmatica
- Native habitat: Mediterranean region
- Introduced to U.S.: Late 1800s or early 1900s
Dalmatian toadflax and yellow toadflax grow on the side of the road, in grasslands, and among crops. Toadflax has an allergen index of 4 out of 10, making it a moderate allergen. As they crop up in many commonly trekked places, these plants can aggravate hay fever for passersby.
Toadflax was originally brought to the U.S. for ornamental use, but it can also be used to dye fabric. Yellow toadflax has also been used as a folk remedy for liver disease. Both species of toadflax are perennials, and start growing early in the spring. Toadflax is highly competitive with other plants for space and light and can spread quickly, so it gradually suppresses the growth of native plant species.
Johnsongrass
- Scientific name: Sorghum halepense
- Native habitat: Mediterranean region
- Introduced to U.S.: Early 1800s
Johnsongrass is a moderate allergen and was originally introduced in the U.S. as a forage crop. Johnsongrass spreads quickly in different habitats, including forests, fields, and wetlands. It forms dense colonies, which can inhibit the growth of agricultural crops and prevent tree seedlings from taking root. It spreads quickly all times of year, impacting allergies year-round.
Johnsongrass causes millions of dollars in lost agricultural revenue in the U.S. every year by invading crops. For example, it can reduce the yield of sugarcane fields in Louisiana by as much as 50%. It can also serve as the host for insects, fungi, roundworms, and viruses that damage crops.
Russian knapweed
- Scientific name: Rhaponticum repens
- Native habitat: Eurasia
- Introduced to U.S.: Early 1900s
Russian knapweed was accidentally introduced to the U.S. via contaminated alfalfa seeds from the Turkestan region of Central Asia. These plants are members of the daisy family, making anyone prone to daisy allergies also vulnerable to Russian knapweed's pollen.
Russian knapweed invades open land and crowds out native plant species, including forage for animals. This plant can quickly get out of hand, causing infestations that worsen the quality of plants for grazing animals.
Grazing animals usually avoid eating Russian knapweed because of its bitter taste. If eaten in sufficient amounts by horses, Russian knapweed causes a neurological disorder called nigropallidal encephalomalacia, or chewing disease. Horses with chewing disease have difficulties eating, drinking, and swallowing.
Quackgrass
- Scientific name: Elymus repens
- Native habitat: Eurasia
- Introduced to U.S.: 1600s
Quackgrass grows in disturbed open areas, where natural vegetation has been removed to expose the underlying soil. This plant can quickly become an infestation through rhizomes, which involves plant roots invading the soil. Cutting off the grassy tops isn't enough; the plant’s root system has to be eradicated as well. It commonly is found in pastures, roadsides, and gardens. It was introduced in the U.S. by accident, likely via contaminated seeds.
Quackgrass flowers in the early summer, when it spreads pollen and contributes to hay fever. This plant competes with agricultural crops and native plant species. It forms dense brush that limits the regeneration of woody plants and trees. It also inhibits the restoration of croplands and pastures, reducing the availability of soil moisture and important nutrients.
Absinth wormwood
- Scientific name: Artemisia absinthium
- Native habitat: Europe, northern Asia and northern Africa
- Introduced to U.S.: 1840s
Absinth wormwood, also commonly known as mugwort, was originally introduced in the U.S. for use as an antiseptic liniment. This plant begins to grow in late April and early May, not flowering until July or August. Those who suffer from spring and summer seasonal allergies may not be spared from absinth wormwood—especially since this plant is perennial.Â
The leaves give food a sage-like flavor and are used to make vermouth. Like Russian knapweed, Absinth wormwood is toxic to horses. It also taints the milk of cattle that have eaten it.
Cogongrass
- Scientific name: Imperata cylindrica
- Native habitat: East Africa (uncertain)
- Introduced to U.S.: Louisiana in 1912 and Florida in the 1930s
One of the worst invasive species in the world, cogongrass causes ecological and economic damage to forests, agriculture, and natural ecosystems by infesting native wildlife. Cogongrass pollinates through the wind, meaning it can spread quickly as its carried along in the air we breathe. It flowers between March and May, on time for spring hay fever.
Cogongrass was accidentally introduced into the U.S. as a packaging material for oranges shipped from Japan to Alabama in 1912. It was also tested in Mississippi and Florida as a possible forage and for its potential for erosion control.
Mimosa tree
- Scientific name: Albizia julibrissin
- Native habitat: Iran to Japan
- Introduced to U.S.: 1700s
Mimosa trees are smaller trees, less than 50 feet in height, that often grow with multiple trunks. They can invade any disturbed area, such as stream banks and roadsides. Mimosa trees are difficult to remove because of the long-lived seeds that grow in long pods and sprout in late summer. Native to Asia, mimosa trees were introduced to the U.S. in the mid-1700s. The trees are widely used for ornamental purposes.Â
Bees and butterflies love mimosa trees, spreading their pollen from one plant to the next. This helps the plant spread and can also release allergens into the air and onto other plants insects pollinate.
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Palmer’s amaranth
- Scientific name: Amaranthus palmeri S.Watson
- Native habitat: Southwestern U.S.
- Introduced to U.S.: Reported in Virginia in 1915
Palmer’s amaranth is a severe allergen and is one of the most widespread and economically devastating weeds in the southwestern U.S. The plant’s pollen spreads by the wind, which can aggravate allergies. Palmer’s amaranth likely spreads on the ground through contaminated seeds: Recent infestations in the Midwest were traced to contaminated seeding mixes from the Conservation Reserve Program.
Palmer amaranth thrives in hot weather and tolerates drought well, making it more resistant to extreme weather patterns than most native plants. It affects corn, cotton, and soybean plants. Some populations of Palmer’s amaranth are even resistant to herbicides including glyphosate.
Giant reed
- Scientific name: Arundo donax
- Native habitat: Likely eastern Asia
- Introduced to U.S.: Early 1800's
A prolific pollen producer, giant reed is a moderate allergen and has been introduced worldwide for erosion control, ornamental use, and the production of reed for paper, pulp, and musical instruments. It grows in dense stands, with many plants per acre—replacing native vegetation. This displacement of vegetation causes changes to food resources, and the infestation of giant reed reduces wildlife habitats, including those of amphibians and birds.
The giant reed is a member of the grass family, which is generally considered a significant source of allergies, and releases its pollen between July and October.
Alligatorweed
- Scientific name: Alternanthera philoxeroides
- Native habitat: South America
- Introduced to U.S.: Reported in Alabama in 1897
Alligatorweed is a mild allergen that grows in thick mats in shallow, slow-moving water, ditches, marshes, and ponds. These mats inhibit the growth of native aquatic vegetation, slow or prevent water flow, increase sedimentation levels, and prevent water sports, including boating, fishing, and swimming.
The plants shed pollen year-round and live for years. Alligatorweed was introduced into the U.S. from its native South America in ballast water, which is held in the cargo holds of ships to provide stability and improve maneuverability while at sea.
This story originally appeared on Wyndly and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
