"CO2 aids poison ivy growth, potency"

I've been working in a garden with a lot of poison ivy lately - so this bad news is esp. worrisome....

This year's warm winter weather enjoyed by people in many parts of the country has come with an itchy side-effect, as experts believe that the mild temperatures, coupled with rising levels of carbon dioxide, could raise the potency of poison ivy.

Increasing levels of carbon dioxide (greenhouse gases) are causing poison ivy to become more abundant and grow faster -- and even more potent as levels of the plant's itch-and-rash-causing urushiol oil increase, according to a Duke University study published last year in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Also, according to Rich Patterson, director of the Indian Creek Nature Center in Iowa, the warm winter will help the poisonous plant to grow more potently and will encourage vines, such as poison ivy, to grow rapidly.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, up to 50 million people each year suffer the itchy, oozing red rash caused by contact with poison ivy, oak or sumac, and more than 80 percent of the population is allergic.

In fact, 350,000 cases are reported each year, as unsuspecting individuals trek through the wilderness, reorganize last year's outdoor gear or gardening equipment (with urushiol oil still on the material), set up camp next to the poisonous plants or pick up a wrong weed or two while gardening.

Winter, spring, summer or fall -- the risk for contact with itch-causing urushiol never completely goes away, even with long sleeves, pants and other cover-up gear.