After 733 Lightning Strikes, Emergency Rooms Overwhelmed... Mold Was the Cause

Thunderstorm Asthma: Mold in Rain Clouds Triggers Allergic Reactions
Respiratory Distress Can Occur Even in Those Without Asthma Symptoms...Caution Advised

After 733 lightning strikes hit Beijing overnight, a large number of patients flocked to hospital emergency rooms the next day, complaining of coughing and difficulty breathing. The cause has been identified as "thunderstorm asthma," also known as a "pollen bomb."

On September 11, local media reported that on the night of September 9, thunderstorms and heavy rain swept across Beijing, with 733 lightning strikes recorded in a single night. Residents said, "It was as if camera flashes were going off continuously throughout the night."

During this event, many residents experienced breathing difficulties and rushed to hospitals. Thunderstorm asthma, cited as the cause, is a specific form of asthma attack triggered by thunderstorms. Allergens such as pollen or mold inside rain clouds are broken into tiny particles by lightning, humidity, and strong winds.

Thunderstorm asthma was first reported in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in 1983, and research has continued since then. A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that 144 out of 228 people (about 65%) with seasonal allergies experienced thunderstorm asthma.

While pollen of normal size is filtered by the hairs inside the nose, these microscopic fragments can be inhaled deep into the lungs, causing severe allergic reactions. This is dangerous because it can trigger acute breathing difficulties not only in existing asthma patients but also in people with no prior history of asthma symptoms.

In fact, it was reported that many patients who visited hospitals in Beijing had never been diagnosed with asthma before. Even those who only suffered from allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis showed symptoms of breathing difficulties. One man said, "My child suddenly started gasping for breath while sleeping, so we rushed to the hospital at dawn, and the emergency room was packed with patients showing similar symptoms."

Furthermore, thunderstorm asthma can cause large-scale harm when it occurs, so caution is needed. In Melbourne, Australia, in 2016, more than 9,000 people rushed to hospitals after a thunderstorm, and at least eight people died.

The medical community warns that not only asthma patients but also those with pollen allergies or allergic rhinitis are considered high-risk groups. Experts advised, "On days with thunderstorms, try to avoid going outside and keep windows closed to prevent allergens from entering indoors."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.