Bless You! Allergens on the Rise Grass Pollens Head for Seasonal Highs

By Terry Ganey, Columbia Daily Tribune, Mo.

May 25–The concentration of airborne grass pollen — those tiny particles that plague people with hay fever, allergies and asthma — is about to reach its highest level for this spring.

“Grass at this point is on its way up,” said Mark Vandewalker, a physician with Allergy and Asthma Consultants in Columbia.

Vandewalker said cedar tree pollen counts earlier in the spring were about as high as they’ve been in the past decade. However, overall pollen counts are about normal.

“I would say it’s a little higher than average but certainly not a record pace,” Vandewalker said.

Data collected in St. Louis County showed the grass pollen count, measured at 38 grains per cubic meter of air on May 18, bounced up to 51 grains yesterday.

“If we get some rain followed by a few days in excess of 80 degrees Fahrenheit, we may still see counts rise to 100 or more for a June first peak,” said Robert Nicolotti, manager of St. Louis County’s Environmental Health Laboratory.

Nicolotti said grass pollens typically begin to appear in mid-April and reach a peak around June 1. For five days before or after June 1, pollen measurements can exceed 100 grains per cubic meter of air.

The grass pollen counts typically drop off in July and August, Nicolotti said. By mid-September it again reaches the mid-50s before dropping to zero at the first frost.

High pollen levels affect people with allergies and asthma. Individuals affected suffer from sneezing, itching and watery eyes and nasal congestion.

“It’s very different in different people,” said Dana Evans, clinical instructor of cardiopulmonary and diagnostic science at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Health Professions. “Some individuals are more susceptible than others. It’s basically an inflammatory reaction.” During high pollen periods, Evans recommends people spend less time outdoors and use of the air conditioner in homes and cars.

May is designated as “Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.”

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