Impact of climate change on allergic diseases in Germany

Abstract

Background: Allergic diseases, especially inhalation allergies, have reached epidemic levels and environmental factors play an important role in their development. Climate change influences the occurrence, frequency, and severity of allergic diseases.

Methods: The contents of this article were selected by the authors and developed section by section according to their expertise and the current state of knowledge. The sections were then discussed and agreed upon amongst all authors.

Results: The article highlights direct and indirect effects of climate change on allergies. It goes into detail about the connections between climate change and (new) pollen allergens as well as (new) occupational inhalation allergens, explains the effects of climate change on the clinical picture of atopic dermatitis, discusses the connections between air pollutants and allergies, and provides information about the phenomenon of thunderstorm asthma.

Conclusions: There is a need for action in the field of pollen and fungal spore monitoring, allergy and sensitisation monitoring, urban planning from an allergological perspective, and changes in the working environment, among others.

Keywords: AIR POLLUTANTS; ALLERGY; CLIMATE CHANGE; INHALANT ALLERGENS; MONITORING; OCCUPATION; POLLEN.

Figure 1

Start of flowering for hazel and leaf discolouration of English oak since 1951 as indicators for the start and end of the vegetation period Source: Deutscher Wetterdienst [26] (original language German)

Figure 2

Overview of the mean number of birch pollen measured per year at various monitoring stations in Germany with trend line. Percentages show the respective change compared to the previous year. Source: German Pollen Information Service Foundation [46] (original language German)

Figure 3

Overview of the mean number of ragweed pollen measured per year at various monitoring stations in Germany with trend line. Percentages show the respective change compared to the previous year. Source: German Pollen Information Service Foundation [46] (original language German)

Figure 4

Pollen and spore measuring stations in the PID monitoring network as of January 2023 Source: German Pollen Information Service Foundation [97] (original language German)

Figure 5

Influence of climate change factors on the environment and thus on employees in different workplaces. Only a few allergen sources for which an increase in exposure is to be expected are shown as examples. Source: Own representation based on Raulf, Hut (Institute for Prevention und Occupational Medicine)