ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Months after being named the asthma capital of the U.S., the Lehigh Valley has been targeted again, this time as one of the nation's hotspots for allergies.
Allentown (coloquially, the Lehigh Valley) now ranks 11th for the most challenging places to live with pollen allergies, according to the Allergy Capitals report, released this month by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, or AAFA.
Allergic conditions are among the most common medical conditions — affecting over 100 million people in the United States
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
This year’s ranking “marks more than 20 years since the first report in 2003,” according to the report. “AAFA produces these annual reports to help people recognize, prevent and manage seasonal allergies.
“Allergic conditions are among the most common medical conditions — affecting over 100 million people in the United States.”
The rankings take into consideration tree, grass and weed pollen scores, the use of over-the-counter allergy medication and the number of allergy specialists.
While Allentown ranks “average” for all pollen and specialist categories, it’s worse-than-average for medicine use, the report shows.
“Due to climate change, growing seasons start earlier and last longer than they did just 30 years ago,” officials argue in the report. “Some parts of the United States now experience pollen (tree, grass, or weed) year-round. Warmer temperatures also trap heat in urban areas, increasing air pollution and stimulating pollen production.
“ … For people with seasonal allergies, climate change fuels a perfect storm of conditions that make allergy symptoms worse.”
Here is the top 15 list, according to the AAFA:
1. Wichita, Kan.
2. Virginia Beach, Va.
3. Greenville, S.C.
4. Dallas, Texas
5. Oklahoma City, Okla.
6. Tulsa, Okla.
7. Richmond, Va.
8. Des Moines, Iowa
9. Raleigh, N.C.
10. Fayetteville, Ark.
11. Allentown
12. Baton Rouge, La.
13. Sarasota, Fla.
14. Houston, Texas
15. Columbia, S.C.
It is not the first time the city has appeared on the list. In 2023, Allentown ranked 28th; the year prior, the city ranked 24th.
The Lehigh Valley is no stranger to air quality issues, especially due to the proliferation of truck traffic.
In August, officials from both Lehigh and Northampton counties launched Lehigh Valley Breathes, a year-long, $100,000 project aimed at monitoring air quality amid emissions from trucking and warehousing.
So far, preliminary data has shown fine particle pollution in the region is highest near warehouses and highways.