What Is the Link Between Asthma and Thunderstorms?

A one-of-a-kind study in the Southern United States now points an accusatory finger at thunderstorms for exacerbating asthma symptoms. The study, completed by researchers at the University of Georgia and Emory University, shows a correlation between asthma symptoms and the presence of a thunderstorm. For those with asthma, the increase of an attack is a modest percentage, but even a small percent increase in having an asthma attack could pose a "significant public health impact," said Andrew Grundstein, a climatologist in the department of geography at the University of Georgia.

The study looked at over 10 million emergency room visits and analyzed the data finding a 3% increase in emergency room visits in the days following a thunderstorm. Typically, a rain storm will help clear the air of particulate pollutants, but researchers feel there are two possible reasons thunderstorms can make asthma worse. First, the high winds associated with a thunderstorm can spread the particulates to new areas. Second, small pollen grains can swell and break open with the impact of a raindrop releasing allergens small enough to get into the lungs. While the link between respiratory problems and storms has been studied worldwide for years, this is the first time the problem was examined in the Atlanta, Georgia area.

Source: Eurekalert and researchers at the University of Georgia and Emory University