Speaker's Highlight

• Don Sin University of British Columbia, St. Paul Hospital (Canada)
  Kenneth R. Chapman Toronto General Hospital Research Institute (Canada)
• Parameswaran Nair McMaster University (Canada)
  Carolyn Calfee UCSF (U.S.A.)
• Gregory P. Downey University of Colorado School of Medicine (U.S.A.)
  David A. Schwartz University of Colorado School of Medicine (U.S.A.)
• Neil Schluger Tuberculosis Control Branch, California Department of Public Health (U.S.A.)
  Nick Kim Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, University of California San Diego (U.S.A.)
• Nicola Hananiah Baylor College of Medicine (U.S.A.)
  Jae-Joon Yim Seoul National University College of Medicine (Republic of Korea)
• Koichiro Asano Tokai University School of Medicine (Japan)
  Diahn-Warng Perng Taipei Veterans General Hospital (Taiwan)
• Konstantinos Kostikas University of Ioannina (Greece)
  Karin Klooster University Medical Center Groningen (Kingdom of the Netherlands)

• Climate Change And Allergic Respiratory Disease In Australia

  The influence of climate change on allergic respiratory diseases is becoming increasingly visible in Australia. Warmer temperatures, altered rainfall, longer pollen seasons, bushfire smoke and indoor dampness can all affect the airways. These changes are relevant to asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus disease and some forms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

  Climate conditions do not affect every community in the same way. Melbourne’s grass pollen season, Brisbane’s humidity, Perth’s smoke exposure and drought-related dust in inland regions create different respiratory risks. A person’s age, occupation, housing, existing allergies and access to healthcare also shape the outcome.

  For clinicians and families, the key issue is the interaction between environmental exposure and airway sensitivity. Climate change may increase the frequency of exposure, extend the period of symptoms or introduce several triggers at once, making prevention and diagnosis more complex.

  Climate-related change	Likely respiratory effect	Useful response
  Warmer spring and summer temperatures	Longer pollen seasons and more severe allergic rhinitis	Check local pollen information and limit outdoor exposure during peak periods
  More intense thunderstorms	Sudden asthma attacks from concentrated airborne particles	Keep reliever medication accessible and follow an asthma action plan
  Bushfires and prolonged smoke events	Irritation, asthma exacerbations and reduced lung function	Stay indoors with filtered air and monitor official smoke warnings
  Heavy rain and household dampness	Increased mould and dust mite exposure	Repair leaks, improve ventilation and keep indoor humidity controlled

  Shifting Seasons And Pollen

  Plants respond to temperature, rainfall and carbon dioxide levels. In some parts of Australia, spring pollen appears earlier or persists later than familiar seasonal calendars suggest. Grass pollen is especially important for asthma and hay fever, while windborne pollens can travel across suburbs and agricultural areas.

  Melbourne is well known for grass pollen-related asthma outbreaks during storm conditions. In Adelaide and Perth, dry weather and wind can carry pollen and dust over wide areas. People who normally manage symptoms only in late spring may need a longer prevention period, guided by a GP or respiratory specialist rather than by a fixed date.

  Bushfire Smoke And Urban Air

  Bushfire smoke contains fine particles, gases and organic compounds that can penetrate deep into the lungs. It can worsen wheezing and breathlessness in people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, while also causing symptoms in individuals without a previous diagnosis. Smoke may travel hundreds of kilometres, so exposure is possible well beyond the fire zone.

  During severe smoke events, Australians may rely on air conditioning, closed windows and portable air cleaners. These measures work best when filters are maintained and indoor smoke infiltration is minimised. Checking state emergency alerts and air-quality information is safer than judging conditions by visibility or smell alone.

  Thunderstorms, Mould And Humidity

  Thunderstorm asthma can occur when wind and rain rupture pollen grains into smaller particles that are easily inhaled. The risk is greatest when high pollen counts coincide with unstable weather. People with hay fever, even without diagnosed asthma, should treat sudden cough, chest tightness or wheezing after a storm as a reason to seek medical advice.

  Warmer, wetter conditions can also encourage mould growth in bathrooms, bedrooms and poorly ventilated buildings. Brisbane and other humid coastal areas may see greater exposure to mould and dust mites, while flood-affected homes can retain moisture for weeks. Prompt drying, professional remediation when necessary and avoiding a return to mould-contaminated rooms can reduce risk.

  Unequal Effects Across Communities

  Children, older adults, pregnant people and those with asthma are particularly vulnerable to changing air quality. Outdoor workers, firefighters, gardeners and people exercising outdoors may receive higher doses of pollen, dust or smoke. People living in poorly insulated rental properties can have fewer options for controlling heat, dampness and ventilation.

  Access also varies between metropolitan and regional Australia. Specialist respiratory services are concentrated in major cities, while rural patients may depend on general practitioners, telehealth and local pharmacies. Public information should therefore be clear, accessible and available through channels used during emergencies, including state health alerts and community networks.

  Diagnosis And Everyday Management

  Climate-related symptoms can resemble viral infection, chronic sinus disease or workplace irritation. A clinical assessment may include lung function testing, allergy testing, medication review and an examination of housing or occupational exposures. Keeping a symptom diary alongside pollen, smoke and weather information can help identify patterns.

  Treatment may involve inhaled preventers, reliever medicines, antihistamines or nasal corticosteroids, depending on the diagnosis. Australians should review their written asthma action plan before the high-risk season and ensure prescriptions are current. For people comparing public information across regions, seasonal health resources can provide another reference point, although local Australian medical advice remains essential.

  Health Policy And The Local Environment

  Australia has established air-quality standards and public reporting systems, but smoke exposure can still exceed safe levels during major bushfires. The National Asthma Council Australia and state health departments publish guidance on asthma, pollen and smoke. Climate adaptation also requires building standards, urban tree planning and reliable access to cooling and clean indoor air.

  The local market is responding with air purifiers, higher-efficiency filters and humidity monitors, yet product quality varies. A purifier should be appropriately sized for the room and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Devices that generate ozone are unsuitable for respiratory health because ozone itself can irritate the lungs.

  Building Practical Respiratory Resilience

  Families can reduce exposure by exercising away from peak pollen or smoke periods, showering after outdoor activities and keeping windows closed when outdoor air quality is poor. Bedding should be washed regularly, visible mould addressed promptly and indoor humidity kept moderate. Pets, dust and cleaning chemicals may add to the total irritant burden, so changes should be made systematically.

  A practical plan combines prevention with early treatment: know the person’s triggers, monitor official forecasts, carry prescribed medicines and recognise worsening breathing. The most useful everyday takeaway is simple: check pollen and smoke conditions before outdoor activity, keep indoor air clean, and follow an up-to-date asthma or allergy management plan.

  Richard Russell Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford (United Kingdom)
• Mona Bafadhel King’s College London (United Kingdom)
  David Jackson Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, King’s College London (United Kingdom)
• James Chalmers University of Dundee (United Kingdom)
  David Price University of Aberdeen (United Kingdom)