> This report presents a survey of the current state of knowledge of the potential impacts of climate change and variability on aeroallergens—pollen, mold, and indoor allergens—in the United States and the allergic diseases associated with them. Allergies are prevalent in the United States and impose substantial economic and quality-of-life burdens. A recent nationwide survey reported that 54.6% of people in the United States test positive for one or more allergens  

> Models developed for the NAST suggest that many areas of the United States will become warmer and wetter. In addition, research has shown that preseason temperature and precipitation have been consistently important projectors of pollen and mold production. Moreover, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration has increased and will continue to increase, and this alone will have impacts on aeroallergens, regardless of changes in precipitation and temperature. Overall, experimental and observational data, as well as models, indicate the following likely changes in aeroallergen production, distribution, dispersal, and allergen content as a result of climate change in the United States:   

• Pollen production is likely to increase in many parts of the United States, with the possible exception of the Southeast  
• Phenologic advance (i.e., earlier start of pollen season) is likely to occur for numerous species of plants, especially trees (Root et al., 2003)  
• There will likely be changes in the distribution of pollen-producing species, including the possibility of extinction in some cases and expansion in others (Joyce et al., 2001)  
• Intercontinental dispersal (e.g., of pollen) is possible, facilitating the introduction of new aeroallergens into the United States (Husar et al., 2001)  
• Increases in allergen content of some aeroallergens are possible (Beggs, 2004; Beggs and Bambrick, 2005)  

-- Review of the Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Aeroallergens and Their Associated Effects. EPA/600/R-06/164F

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