Evidence of ’thunderstorm asthma’ in Canberra  »

Data collected by the Canberra Pollen app has revealed evidence of 'thunderstorm asthma' in Canberra. Image: John Fowler, Flickr. We saw one weekend last year where there was a massive spike in grass pollen corresponding in a record number of asthma suffers admitted to hospital. Research by The Australian National University (ANU) into pollen in Canberra has provided the first evidence that the region is prone to a phenomenon known as 'thunderstorm asthma'. The findings come from research collected through the Canberra Pollen app, which begins its second year of delivering daily counts and forecasts of pollen levels to users from 1 October. Project leader Professor Simon Haberle said 'thunderstorm asthma' happens when pollen becomes agitated in the electrified atmosphere of a storm, resulting in much stronger reactions in asthma sufferers. "You get spikes in hospital admissions from asthma sufferers during a thunderstorm," Professor Haberle said.
account creation

TO READ THIS ARTICLE, CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT

And extend your reading, free of charge and with no commitment.

Register


Login

Your Benefits

  • Access to all content
  • Receive newsmails for news and jobs
  • Post ads

myScience