In contrast to UV radiation, which increases with altitude and is associated with vitamin D synthesis, fine dust pollution reduces as the altitude increases. Furthermore, shorter flowering phases and more extreme weather conditions lead to a change in vegetation at higher altitudes, which in turn significantly reduces allergen concentrations compared to lower-lying natural habitats. The […]
Indication: allergies
Alpine farming and Alpine pastures – environmental microbes
The microbiome is currently a hot topic in both the scientific community and the mainstream media. Specifically as regards asthma, the accumulating evidence indicates that the environmental microbiome plays a significant role in asthma development. The very low prevalence of asthma in populations highly exposed to the microbiome indicates its potential for disease prevention. These […]
Waterfalls
European mountain regions host numerous Alpine waterfalls that produce inhalable, negatively charged nano-water particles known as “Lenard ions” (see also air Ions). Negative air ions close by waterfalls, the so called “ionosols”, are generated by aerosolization of water droplets on an obstacle, an aqueous surface or by aerodynamic break-up during free fall. After breaking up, […]