Aeroallergens significantly impact various aspects of life, including health, the economy, and the environment. Currently, up to 30% of Europe’s population suffers from pollen allergies and asthma, with the number of allergy sufferers steadily increasing over the past few decades. This growing prevalence poses a substantial burden on public health systems and economies, with the annual costs related to allergies in Europe estimated to range between €50 and €150 billion.
In addition to their effects on human health, pollen and fungal spores negatively affect agriculture and forestry, contributing to reduced crop yields and forest health. Moreover, climate change exacerbates these issues, as rising temperatures and increased CO2 emissions disrupt plant life cycles. These changes lead to longer and more intense flowering seasons and shifts in the geographical distribution of certain species, which are both consequences and indicators of climate change.
Given the increasing concerns, there has been a paradigm shift in aeroallergen monitoring techniques. Traditional manual measurements are being replaced by automated in situ measurements, DNA sequencing-based methods, and remote sensing technologies. These advanced approaches do not only provide more accurate information about aeroallergens but also enhance model predictions and forecasts.
In this session, we invite contributions on the detection, analysis, and forecasting of aeroallergens as well as on studies dealing with their impact on climate, the environment and human health.