UEA scientists to assess future impact of global warming on allergic diseases

A new study by an international team of scientists including the University of East Anglia (UEA) will assess the future impact of global warming on allergic diseases.

Launched October 19, 2011 in Vienna, the study is the first of its kind and will focus on the spread of the invasive species Ambrosia Artemisiifolia - or common ragweed. The plant's pollen is highly allergenic, causing hayfever, asthma and eczema. Ragweed has yet to reach the UK but the problem is reaching epidemic proportions in many parts of mainland Europe.

The three-year project will explore how rising temperatures exaccerbate the serious health problems caused by ragweed - by increasing the amount of pollen the plant produces, by widening its geographical distribution, and by elongating the pollen season.

Enivornmental scientists from UEA will work with colleagues in Austria, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy and Croatia on the European Commission-funded study. The team includes biologists, immunologists, allergists, dermatologigsts, physicists and climate scientists. Their findings will inform policy on coping with the growing health problems caused by global environmental change.

Dr Clare Goodess of UEA's Climate Research Unit, who will be researching the past and future patterns of climate change affecting pollen distribution, said: "Common ragweed is not an issue here in the UK - yet. As global temperatures rise we are seeing very rapid spread of this highly invasive plant and it may only be a matter of time before it appears in the UK - causing real health problems for the growing number of people who suffer from allergies, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly."

Allergies cost Europe's healthcare systems more than 25 billion euros annually and pollen-induced respiratory allergy is increasing. In the worst-hit areas, one in five children suffer from allergies caused by ragweed pollen.

Dr Iain Lake of UEA's School of Environmental Sciences, who will lead work on assessing the changing risks of allergic disease, said: "Using state-of-the-art modeling we will analyse the likely impact of changes in climate, land use and air pollution on pollen-induced allergy over the coming decades and devise adaptation and prevention strategies to minimize the impact on global health.

The project, titled 'Atopic diseases in changing climate, land use and air quality', brings together researchers from UEA and Rothamsted Research in the UK with research institutions and SMEs from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Italy. The project is co-orddinated by the Medical University of Vienna.

They will focus on two periods: 2010-2030, in which inter-decadal climate variability is an important factor; and 2050-2070, when human-induced global warming caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions is expected to become a dominant issue.