When spring arrives, as many as 81 million Americans experience seasonal allergies. As the planet warms and more CO2 is pumped into the atmosphere, pollen seasons are lengthening and becoming more severe. There has been a 21% increase in pollen concentrations from 1990 to 2018. With warmer winter temperatures, the frost-free season starts earlier in the spring and ends later in the fall. This increased exposure to pollen is particularly dangerous for children, people with asthma, and people living in areas with high levels of air pollution. Americans spend $3 billion on medical costs linked to pollen, with nearly half of this coming from prescription medication.
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