While several departments are classified at high risk of allergy to pollens, a study establishes a link between its exposure and death rates in seniors with respiratory problems.
- In a study, American researchers have examined four types of pollen: pollen of deciduous trees that lose their leaves, pollen of persistent leaf trees, grass pollen and praise of the ambrosia.
- They found that high levels of certain pollens, in particular those of deciduous trees and amber, were linked to an increased risk of death due to respiratory problems.
- The effects can last up to two weeks after exposure.
“The levels of aeroallergen of plant origin increase as the growth seasons lie down and intensify with anthropogenic climate change”, According to researchers, the University of Michigan (United States). Problem: Pollen days are not just a disadvantage for children and adults with allergies. In a new study, published in the journal BMC Public HealthAmerican scientists have revealed that they could present serious health risks of the elderly.
Four types of pollen examined
In order to achieve this conclusion, the latter have determined the short -term associations of four classes of pollens species (room, deciduous leaf trees, grasses and persistent leaf trees) with respiratory mortality (all causes combined, chronic and infectious). For this, the team reviewed the death registers in Michigan between 2006 and 2017, focusing on deaths linked to respiratory problems. A total of 127,163 deaths were included in the analysis.
“Pollen data was obtained from a prognostic model of pollen daily concentrations at a resolution of 25 km”, Can we read in research. Then, using advanced IT models, the authors estimated the daily levels of pollen throughout Michigan and examined how high -pollen exposure affected mortality rates over different periods, from the effects of the same day until two weeks later.
Exposure to certain types of pollen increases the risk of death due to respiratory problems
According to the results, highly cumulative daily concentrations of certain pollens, in particular those of deciduous trees and ambrosia, were associated with a respiratory mortality all causes combined with early discrepancies, “For example a risk 1.81 times higher from all respiratory deaths during a cumulative exposure with a seven -day lag with a deciduous trees pollen.” No species of pollen was associated with deaths due to infectious respiratory causes.
Although not all people are sensitive to pollen in the same way, the data highlights the importance of monitoring pollen levels and taking precautions during days with a high pollen, especially for older adults who have respiratory problems. The researchers add that with the planned climate change, it will be increasingly important for public health to prepare for risks.
