Showing posts with label Philadelphia Inquirer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philadelphia Inquirer. Show all posts

Thursday, September 16

Fall Allergies


As summer comes to a close, millions of Americans can reportedly expect the fall allergy season to be in "full force" this year.

According to AccuWeather meteorologists, fall allergies are often triggered by ragweed and the presence of mold.

"Fall allergies are typically triggered by ragweed, and the pollen from these types of plants that are common in North America can travel as far as the wind carries it," AccuWeather wrote. "Another cause of fall allergies is mold, which can grow in piles of damp leaves."

The Philadelphia Inquirer said Monday that ragweed plants are expected to produce pollen to torment residents over the next couple of weeks.

"In purely coincidental sync with the hurricane season, this is the peak period for the ragweeds," the paper wrote, noting that the impact of climate change – and drought in the West – has extended pollen season by pushing back first-frost dates.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says shifts in precipitation patterns, more frost-free days, warmer seasonal air temperatures and more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can affect the length of pollen season, how pollen impacts human health and how much pollen plants create.  READ MORE