Allergy seasons in New Jersey and elsewhere may be longer and stronger in the future. Why could we be in for a longer season?  Experts say tree pollen counts jumped earlier this season and the grass pollen kicked in quicker and stronger soon after. The two combined, with intense counts have allergy and asthma sufferers showing up in higher numbers at doctor's offices.

"Call it the triple whammy. People are getting hit harder in May and the beginning of June than in years before," said Doctor Leonard Bielory, a Springfield allergy and asthma expert.

Bielory said climate change may be rewriting the allergy season calendar as temperatures spur higher pollen counts earlier in future years. The general rule of thumb is warmer climates cause higher pollen counts. Those counts may be up by 20 to 30 percent by the year 2020 and could grow from there.

Also, there are those who suggest that perhaps we have become too clean, and that may be a contributory factor.

Some allergists believe household sprays and spray cleaning agents, as well as air fresheners have created an environment that heightens our senses to changes in air or pollen levels.

 

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