By Anders Lorenzen
A new study has confirmed that climate change is bad news for pollen sufferers.
Researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ) have found that climate change prolongs the pollen season in Australian capital cities.
The study analysed three decades of data and examined pollen concentrations in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Victoria.
How weather patterns and climate change influence pollen
Their objective was to determine the role of weather patterns and climate change.
The study’s findings, published in Science of the Total Environment on April 5, 2025, showed remarkable results.
Even though pollen levels fluctuated in Canberra, concentrated grass pollen increased by a whopping 200% compared to the previous decade.
The increases in Sydney, at 34%, were more modest. However, Melbourne recorded a 13% decrease per decade, curbing the trend.
Longer pollen seasons
An Associate Professor at UQ, Nicholas Osborne, said about the research: “Our findings show that as temperatures rise across the globe, pollen seasons are expected to be longer, making it challenging for people with allergies, asthma and other respiratory conditions.”
Complexities
He added some context, explaining that the issue is complex and varies from region to region, depending on the type of pollen and the weather patterns in a given area.
Dr Osborne added another example of findings concerning grass pollen: “We examined grass and general pollen levels, and we found grass pollen concentrations, which cause more allergies, could be lower in periods of drought.”
Regional and seasonal variations in pollen
They found regional variations, such as an increasing number of days with high levels, in Canberra and Melbourne, experiencing longer and core pollen seasons.
Seasonal variabilities were also significant findings, such as spring rainfall being linked to increased grass pollen concentration.
Pollen and climate-fueled extreme weather
Localised and more widespread extreme weather events, such as droughts, heavy rainfalls, and the El Niño weather phenomenon, changed airborne pollen concentrations.
Arzoo Dhankhar from QU and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, were also involved in the study. She explained that pollen concentration in the atmosphere is determined by weather, climate, land use, and human activities.
“The findings from this study provide valuable insights for health professionals, urban planners and researchers, especially when we look at ways to manage health risks posed by allergenic pollen in a changing climate,” Dhankhar underlined.
Health implications
For pollen sufferers, the pollen season can be a relentless nightmare.
Health symptoms
Hay fever, asthma attacks, sinus infections, skin issues, sneezing, and wheezing are common symptoms. As a result, they can profoundly impact quality of life.
While many cases are mild, pollen can cause severe reactions, requiring hospital admissions and emergency visits.
Easing the burden on the health system
The study noted that an increase in pollen cases could put even more stress on the health system.
As a result, the researchers argued that their studies are crucial to understanding and dealing with the problem.
Increased knowledge about pollen influences is crucial
The more we know about what causes pollen concentration fluctuations, the better we can prepare health systems, support more low-exposure urban planning designs, educate the public, promote earlier intervention methods, and collaborate across all sectors on a more targeted and coordinated response.
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