A red alert for high allergy risk has been issued in 30 departments across southwestern France, attributed to earlier pollen seasons due to climate change and pollution. Projections indicate allergy seasons could start 40 days earlier and end 19 days later by 2100, with increased pollen production. Exotic allergenic plants like ragweed are spreading, affecting 20% of children and 30% of adults in France. Common symptoms include rhinitis and asthma, with treatments available for relief.
High Allergy Risk Across France’s Southwestern Departments
The National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (RNSA) has issued a red alert for 30 departments spanning from Vendée to Pyrénées-Atlantiques and down to Alpes-Maritimes, highlighting a significant risk for allergy sufferers. Typically, the pollen season kicks off in spring with the blooming of trees, but in recent years, many individuals have experienced allergic reactions as early as February. This shift is largely attributed to the impacts of climate change and air pollution, as supported by various studies.
Future Projections for Pollen Levels
As temperatures continue to rise, the phenomenon of earlier pollen germination is becoming more evident. “There is an earlier germination of pollen,” states Jocelyne Just, a pediatrician and respiratory allergist based in Paris. She emphasizes that pollination now begins sooner for species such as cypress, ash, birch, and alder, which tend to pollinate at the tail end of winter and the beginning of spring. According to a study published in March 2022 in the journal Nature Communications, the allergy season is projected to commence 40 days earlier and conclude 19 days later by the year 2100, leading to a staggering 40% increase in pollen production.
Jocelyne Just further notes, “We are seeing increasingly high peaks of pollen,” indicating a concerning trend for allergy sufferers. The lengthening risk period is expected to worsen, with scientists predicting that windborne pollen will become increasingly allergenic. A 2014 report by the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (Anses) highlighted that higher temperatures are linked to increased allergen levels in birch and ragweed pollen grains, correlating with rising greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
Moreover, pollution can alter or deform certain pollen grains, allowing them to penetrate deeper into the already irritated respiratory tracts of individuals exposed to environmental pollutants. Jocelyne Just, who also serves as an emeritus professor at the Sorbonne, confirms the rising peaks of pollen levels.
In addition to these challenges, exotic plants that are highly allergenic are making their way to France, largely due to climate change. For instance, ragweed, a plant native to North America, is now proliferating across Europe, particularly in the Rhône Valley. In response, some regions have implemented targeted measures to manage the spread of ragweed.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health reveal that 20% of children over the age of 9 and 30% of adults in France are affected by pollen allergies. Common symptoms include rhinitis, asthma, conjunctivitis, and swelling of the eyelids. While over-the-counter antihistamines are available at pharmacies to help alleviate these symptoms, allergists also provide desensitization treatments aimed at gradually increasing the immune system’s tolerance to specific allergens.