Seasonal Allergies

Climate change, driven by carbon pollution, is extending the growing season and increasing pollen production, which worsens seasonal allergies and asthma for millions of children in the U.S. Higher CO2 levels and warming temperatures lead to earlier and longer allergy seasons, potentially increasing asthma-related emergency room visits. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their development and higher time spent outdoors, with certain regions like the Northeast and Ohio Valley expected to see the highest rates of affected children.

• Seasonal allergic rhinitis affects approximately 19% of children aged 0-17 in the U.S., with the prevalence rising to 24% among adolescents and teens aged 12-17. Additionally, aeroallergens trigger asthma in about 6.5% of U.S. children, representing 4.7 million individuals.
• Carbon pollution from fossil fuels increases CO2 levels, which boosts plant pollen production and mold growth, while warming extends the growing season. Between 1970 and 2023, the freeze-free season in the U.S. lengthened by an average of more than 15 days.
• A temperature increase of 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) could lead to a 17% annual rise in asthma-related emergency room visits for children exposed to grass, birch, and oak pollen, compared to the 1986-2005 baseline.
• The highest rates of affected children per 100,000 are expected in the Ohio Valley—specifically Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia—as well as in Vermont and the Northeast. Oak pollen exposure may disproportionately impact children without health insurance, limited-English-speaking children, and children of color.

APA

Climate Central (2024). Seasonal Allergies. https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/5X5l0L6djzwJmWTpmtJPc1/dfa34678142810cf5ee389604f287755/ChildrenAndClimateChange_Allergies_2024.pdf

Chicago

Climate Central. Seasonal Allergies. 2024. https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/5X5l0L6djzwJmWTpmtJPc1/dfa34678142810cf5ee389604f287755/ChildrenAndClimateChange_Allergies_2024.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Central |title=Seasonal Allergies |date=March 2024 |url=https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/5X5l0L6djzwJmWTpmtJPc1/dfa34678142810cf5ee389604f287755/ChildrenAndClimateChange_Allergies_2024.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatecentral2024seasonal, author = {{Climate Central}}, title = {{Seasonal Allergies}}, institution = {Climate Central}, year = {2024}, month = mar, url = {https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/5X5l0L6djzwJmWTpmtJPc1/dfa34678142810cf5ee389604f287755/ChildrenAndClimateChange_Allergies_2024.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }