'Study: Global Warming Boosts Poison Ivy' If you're allergic, WATCH OUT

[in_cog_ni_to]

for the poison ivy! Stay out of the woods!


Study: Global Warming Boosts Poison Ivy
By Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Another reason to worry about global warming: more and itchier poison ivy. The noxious vine grows faster and bigger as carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere rise, researchers report Monday.

And a CO2-driven vine also produces more of its rash-causing chemical, urushiol, conclude experiments conducted in a forest at Duke University where scientists increased carbon-dioxide levels to those expected in 2050.

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas _ a chemical that traps heat similar to the way a greenhouse does _ that's considered a major contributor to global warming. Greenhouse gases have been steadily increasing in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution.

Poison ivy is common in woods around the country, making it a bane of hikers, campers, fighters of forest fires, even backyard gardeners. Its itchy, sometimes blistering rash is one of the most widely reported ailments to poison-control centers, with more than 350,000 reported cases a year.<snip>

http://www.comcast.net/news/science/index.jsp?cat=SCIENCE&fn=/2006/05/30/403221.html

[BoneDaddy]

1. Interestingly

I was working with a naturalist, who had some real political environmental left views fused with a native culture perspective he had gained through his friendships and interactions with native leaders from American , African and South African tribal nations.

He was describing poison ivy as capable and willing to grow in every area where man has disturbed the soil. He said it was the earth mother's allergic reaction to human domination. I thought that was a very poetic and appropriate response. And now to find that PI grows and becomes more potent due to humankind's actions.

[katty]

2. that's great-I've had it, it's a drag but people shouldn't get hysterical

about this as well-I dream of a future with common sense!

[Flirtus]

3. you're not alergic, i suppose

it makes me stop breathing, so it's hysteria all round.

:-)

[freethought]

4. You're likely correct for the most part, however

There are always a few out there who have severe allergic reactions to poison ivy. One the same level as the person who keeps an injection pen handy if they get stung by a bee or accidentally ingest peanuts or peanut oil. This isn't good news for them.

A childhood friend has this very problem. When he was in his teens, he fell into a patch of the stuff.
It was one mad dash to the hospital. He came really close to the edge.

For most of us it likely means that we need some extra strength Calamine lotion.