Are you Sneezing? You’re not Alone
If you have allergies, and boy, do I have allergies, and you swear they’ve never been this bad, as I’ve been saying for weeks, we can now make a case for lots of sneezing.
Our news partner, WZZM TV13, along with USA Today, reports a connection between pollen and carbon dioxide. Tests show that the more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the more plants typically grow and the more pollen they produce.
Dr. Vincent Dubravec, a Plainfield Township allergist, says he’s not going to fully support global warming as the reason for a rise in allergies, because that would contradict what happened in West Michigan this year.
Dr. Dubravec is asked the same question every year. Has there been an increase in reactions to allergies and asthma in West Michigan?
He says yes, but not because of warming. He says it’s because of cooling — the wintery spring we had, which delayed the tree pollen season and condensed it all into one strong explosion of pollen.
Dr. Dubravec says the explosion of different pollens — various trees, grass, and cottonwood, all flying together at the same time — set off people’s allergy signals like crazy.
This is also unwelcome news for people with asthma, as pollen can exacerbate their condition.
The allergy season is unfortunately also expected to last a month longer – until October.
Oh, great. That’s what I wanted to hear. ahhh-choo!