Detection of Asthma Epidemics in Seven Cities

Abstract

Autumnal increases in the frequency of asthmatic attacks have been observed in various parts of the world. At the Third International Congress of Biometerology in Pau, France, September, 1963, 4 reports mentioned this phenomenon and there was considerable discussion regarding possible reasons for this seasonal pattern. Suggestions regarding causes for the autumnal increase in asthma include: onset of cold weather with accompanying metabolic adjustments; resuspension of settled allergens at the beginning of the heating season; seasonal increase in atmospheric stagnation episodes with associated risk of sharp increases in air pollution; prevalence of mold spores, particularly those associated with decaying vegetation. None of these factors nor any other has yet been clearly shown to account for the observed seasonal pattern. Possibly there are multifactorial causes.