Global Warming Effects on Asthma

by Contributing Writer

Overview

More than 300 million people around the world have asthma. This number has been increasing in recent years, and there is growing evidence that global warming may be partly to blame. An increase in global temperatures and levels of carbon dioxide is believed to trigger asthma in a greater number of people.
Significance

Asthma is a long-term illness with potentially serious side effects, and its prevalence increased 75 percent from 1980 to 1994.

Theories/Speculation

Some scientists speculate that an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has caused more pollen to be released into the air, which triggers more asthma symptoms in people with the condition.
Effects

Global warming may result in a longer growing season, which means more pollen, which triggers asthma, is present in the air; increased air pollution due to global warming can also pose problems for people with asthma.
Considerations

Paying attention to pollen counts and air quality warnings may help a person with asthma minimize the number of asthma attacks she experiences.
Expert Insight

In 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) named asthma as one of the possible health risks of global warming.

Overview