Aggravated allergies: Predicting pollen levels in a changing climate

Summary

This video discusses the impact of pollen and allergies, emphasizing how climate change contributes to longer growing seasons and higher pollen concentrations. With more allergy sufferers every year, the Aerobiology Research Laboratory provides pollen forecasts to help individuals manage their symptoms. By analyzing samples collected from over 30 sites across Canada, the lab offers accurate pollen data. The video highlights the growing problem of increased pollen levels and urges people to understand their environment in order to take the right steps for a better quality of life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pollen is essential for the reproduction of plants and trees, but it can trigger allergic reactions in humans.
• 😀 Allergy sufferers often experience symptoms like sore, itchy eyes, blocked noses, coughing, and sneezing due to pollen exposure.
• 😀 Climate change leads to warmer weather, longer growing seasons, and more pollen production, which exacerbates allergy symptoms.
• 😀 The Aerobiology Research Laboratory specializes in identifying and counting pollen and spores across Canada for over 25 years.
• 😀 The lab collects daily pollen samples from over 30 sites across Canada to create allergy forecasts for sufferers.
• 😀 Rotation impaction samplers are used to collect pollen, where rods spin to capture pollen particles on silicone grease.
• 😀 Samples are sent to the lab for analysis where the pollen and spores are counted using a microscope and specialized software.
• 😀 Urban areas like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal show higher pollen concentrations, affecting allergy sufferers more.
• 😀 The lab uses over 25 years of historical data, current data, and weather patterns to produce 83% accurate pollen forecasts.
• 😀 Increased pollen levels over the last 10-15 years are largely attributed to climate change, with urban planning being another contributing factor.
• 😀 With knowledge of what pollen is in the air, allergy sufferers can take proactive steps to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Q & A

What is pollen and how does it affect allergy sufferers?

Pollen is part of the reproduction system for plants and trees. Allergy sufferers' bodies overreact to pollen in the air, which leads to symptoms such as sore or itchy eyes, blocked noses, coughing, and sneezing.

How does climate change contribute to increased pollen production?

Climate change results in warmer weather and longer growing seasons. This causes plants and trees to produce more pollen over a longer period, leading to higher levels of pollen concentration in the air.

What role does the Aerobiology Research Laboratory play in monitoring pollen levels?

The Aerobiology Research Laboratory specializes in the identification and counting of pollen and spores. They collect daily samples from various locations across Canada and use this data to create allergy forecasts.

How does the rotation impaction sampler work to collect pollen samples?

The rotation impaction sampler works by spinning rods that attract airborne particles, including pollen, onto silicone grease. After 24 hours, the rods are removed and sent for analysis.

What happens to the pollen samples once they arrive at the lab?

The pollen samples are couriered to the lab in small plastic vials. The samples are stained, and the pollen and fungal spores are visualized under a microscope. The lab technician counts each type of pollen or spore observed.

How does the lab ensure accurate pollen identification and counting?

Each key on the lab technician's keyboard corresponds to a specific pollen or spore type. Every time they tap a key, it signifies the identification of a pollen or spore under the microscope, ensuring accurate counting.

Which urban areas in Canada show an increase in pollen levels?

Larger urban areas like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal have seen increased pollen levels, likely due to factors such as population density and urban planning.

How accurate are the pollen forecasts provided by the lab?

The pollen forecasts created by the lab are over 83% accurate, based on data from over 25 years of research combined with current weather patterns.

Where can people access pollen level information in Canada?

People in Canada can access pollen level information through the Allergy Sufferers app or on the Weather Network.

What factors, aside from climate change, could contribute to increasing pollen levels?

Aside from climate change, urban planning is another factor that could be contributing to higher pollen levels, particularly in urban areas with more vegetation and plant growth.