Aeroallergens in Canada: Distribution, Public Health Impacts, and Opportunities for Prevention

Cecilia Sierra-Heredia, Michelle North, Jeff Brook, Christina Daly, Anne K. Ellis, Dave Henderson, Sarah B. Henderson, Éric Lavigne and Tim K. Takaro
Additional contact information
Cecilia Sierra-Heredia: Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
Michelle North: Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H7, Canada
Jeff Brook: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M3H 5T4, Canada
Christina Daly: Air Quality Health Index, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
Anne K. Ellis: Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences and Division of Allergy & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
Dave Henderson: Health and Air Quality Services, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3, Canada
Sarah B. Henderson: Environmental Health Services, BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada
Éric Lavigne: Air Health Science Division, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
Tim K. Takaro: Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 8, 1-23

Abstract: Aeroallergens occur naturally in the environment and are widely dispersed across Canada, yet their public health implications are not well-understood. This review intends to provide a scientific and public health-oriented perspective on aeroallergens in Canada: their distribution, health impacts, and new developments including the effects of climate change and the potential role of aeroallergens in the development of allergies and asthma. The review also describes anthropogenic effects on plant distribution and diversity, and how aeroallergens interact with other environmental elements, such as air pollution and weather events. Increased understanding of the relationships between aeroallergens and health will enhance our ability to provide accurate information, improve preventive measures and provide timely treatments for affected populations.

Keywords: aeroallergens; pollen; fungi; allergy; asthma; atopic march; Canada (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:8:p:1577-:d:159897

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