Climate Change, Nothing to Sneeze At!

If you’ve noticed your allergies are worse or last longer than years past, you are not alone. Rising carbon dioxide levels, drought and global temperatures are driving the growth of the trees and plants that trigger seasonal allergies. 

The most common springtime allergy is to trees. 2015 Allergists say California’s fourth year of drought conditions is causing trees to release their pollen sooner than normal.  A study in Switzerland published in the Journal of International Biometeorology in 2008 found that birch trees are on average releasing pollen 15 days earlier than they did in the 1970s. In some parts of the country the Fall allergen ragweed now grows stronger than ever and sheds pollen for nearly a month longer than it did two decades ago.

In addition to climate change affecting growing seasons, rising temperatures can make smog pollution worse, thus increasing the number of hard to breathe ozone action days. With environmental allergens becoming stronger and more prevalent, those who suffer from asthma and chemical sensitivities have to be even more mindful of limiting exposure to triggers as asthma flare-ups are often worse in the spring. And asthma triggers such as chemicals in clothing, cosmetics, paper and inks can easily be avoided by choosing the right products. 

According to the Pesticide Action Network North America, conventionally grown cotton uses more insecticides than any other single crop. Nearly $2.6 billion worth of pesticides are sprayed on cotton fields each year — accounting for more than 10% of total pesticide use and nearly 25% of insecticides use worldwide. Choosing organic cotton clothing and bags can improve an individual’s respiratory function and supports companies that sell organic clothing, helping minimize environmental pollution.

Eco Promotional Products offers a wide variety of products made from organic cotton:
Basic Organic Cotton Ring Spun T-Shirt
100% Organic Cotton Tote
Organic Cotton Pullover Hoodie
100% Certified Organic Cotton Cap

Another common pollutant and allergen trigger is petroleum, found in consumer products such as lip balms. According to the Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, even low exposure to petroleum-derived hydrocarbons is associated with more respiratory and nasal symptoms, lower pulmonary function, and airway inflammation.

Eco Promotional Products petroleum-free lip balms:
USA Made Certified Organic Lip Balm
USA Made SPF15 Lip Balm
USA Made SPF30 Lip Balm

In addition to cosmetics, avoid petroleum exposure by choosing products that are printed with non-traditional inks. Vegetable, soy and water-based inks contain little to no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). That’s less than one fifth of the amount produced by petroleum-based inks. Eco Promotional Products offers dozens of products printed with safer inks, including notebooks, coloring books, and apparel.

Eco Promotional Products with safer inks:
USA Made Keep Our Environment Clean Activity Book
Recycled Journal Notebook

So remember, with allergy season in full swing; manage symptoms by reducing exposure to asthma triggers. And make sure to choose products with little or no harmful chemicals that can further irritate the body’s respiratory symptoms. 

Sources: www.panna.org, www.nrdc.org, www.doi.gov 

For more information visit: www.ecopromotionsonline.com, email: info@ecopromotionsonline.com or call: 877.326.9467, (877) ECO-WINS.