Pollen Count Spikes

Oak trees the biggest spore producer

From Monday to Tuesday, the number of airborne tree spores quintupled, sending pollen counts soaring to the highest level this year.

The Walter Reed Army Medical Center reported that yesterday's count of spores dropping from trees was 2302.4 grains per cubic meter, a level the National Allergy Bureau calls "very high."  By comparison, yesterday's count of pollen from trees was 478 grains/cubic meter.

What does that mean for area allergy sufferers?  "Do a rain dance," advises Walter Reed microbiologist Susan Kosisky, who oversees the spore count in the area.

The National Allergy Bureau says when counts go to the "very high" level, almost all allergy sufferers will experience some kind of reaction, and those with extreme allergy sensitivity could have server symptoms.

Oak trees are by far the biggest pollen producers, adding 1845 grains/cubic meter into the atmosphere in the latest count.  The second highest grain maker is the pine tree, which threw 124.6 pollen grains/cubic meter into the air.  Sweetgum, sycamore, cottonwood, beech, and birch are also major allergy irritants in the local air.

Grass pollen is moderate for the region, and dock/sorrel pollen is low right now.

Peak pollen season is coming a little bit later this year.  In 2010, pollen counts spiked in early April, although the numbers never reached as high Tuesday's levels.


 

Contact Us