Global climate change inducing seasonal respiratory, skin complications

Islamabad: For years, scientists and medical professionals have been working hard to rule out the accurate cause behind idiopathic seasonal respiratory diseases and skin allergies as their specific root cause has never been highlighted by anyone due to lack of knowledge and resources.

Talking to APP, Professor Dr Ishaq Khan said there was need to develop general awareness in our society regarding the relationship between global climate change, allergic and respiratory diseases. After extensive research, Dr Ishaq and his team had concluded that there was massive impact of weather, pollens and airborne pollutants over these allergies. Over the past 3 decades global temperature has been rising markedly.

This temperature increase has been resulted in warming ocean temperatures, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, retreating sea ice and diminished snow cover in the northern hemisphere, he said.

During the heat waves of 2003, 2012 and 2013, temperatures of above 35°C resulted in several thousand deaths throughout Europe, most of the observed rise in global average temperatures since the mid 20th century is very likely due to the documented rise in environmental pollution and green house gas concentrations, he added. This aggressive climatic change is associated with respiratory and allergic disorders.

The increased length and severity of the pollen season, the higher occurrence of heavy precipitation events and the increasing frequency of urban population are resulting in major environmental hazards that are lethal to human life, he maintained.

In order to reduce the burden of allergic and respiratory symptoms, we must act to control environmental factors that worsen these conditions. The incidence and intensity of allergic rhinitis (also known as coryza, is irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose.

Common symptoms are a stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, and post-nasal drip) and asthma varies with atmospheric conditions. Air pollution consisting of particulate matter i.e. (dust mite, organic dust substances, diesel exhaust and organic salts) and atmospheric pollens blunts individual’s immune system that eventually results in enhancement of allergic and respiratory diseases for instance particulate matter resulting from the burning of fuel or organic matter increases allergen specific [Immunoglobulin E (IgE) (a type of antibody)] IgE levels that causes airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, Dr Ishaq Khan said.

Global warming, he said has a tremendous economic and health care impact in the form of loss of working hours and increased need for care among privileged populations. Thunderstorm is another environmental hazard that induces severe asthma attacks in allergy-sensitive patients, subsequent to thunderstorm pollen grains may release part of their cytoplasmic contents including inhalable allergen particles.

In addition to enhanced pollen production massive climatic change alters the amount of fungal allergens in the atmosphere. These fungal spores cause allergic rhinitis and worsen asthmatic attack in patients.

Increased carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere resulting from excessive production of black smoke, CCF’s and coal favors production of fungal spores. These environmental pollutants are extremely hazardous to human life.

Increased rainfall during extremes of weather promotes mold production both indoors and outdoors that in return worsens allergic diseases in allergy sensitive individuals, he added. Air-pollution related asthma exacerbation is due to climactic factors that favors the accumulation of air pollutants at soil level.