Pollen count inches towards extreme limits

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Wednesday issued an alert for allergy patients to remain extra careful as the pollen count in twin cities has reached the level of 44,558 microgrammes per cubic metre.

“It [pollen count] will further increase in the coming days as the months of March and April are considered to be the peak season of pollen concentration,” PMD spokesperson Dr Khalid Malik said. He advised that people suffering from allergy should take all precautionary measures to avoid any health-related complications.

The official said the most abundant pollen types in Islamabad were from eight plant species, namely paper mulberry, acacia, eucalyptus, pines, grasses, cannabis, dandelion and alternaria.

Out of all these plants, Dr Malik stated, paper mulberry shared about 97 per cent of the total pollen and its concentration touched the extreme limits of around 45,000 microgrammes per cubic metre of air at the peak of the blossom season.

The highest concentration of pollen in the federal capital since the record-keeping started was calculated at 48,080 microgrammes per cubic metre in March 2005.

Meanwhile, Islamabad-based family physician Dr Arif Majeed said people, especially those who had pollen allergy symptoms, should adopt all possible measures during March and April to avoid the severity of pollen.

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He urged the public to wear face masks before going outside to avoid an open-air environment as well as to keep all doors and windows closed at homes and workplaces. He was of the view that the pollen allergy attack could be prevented by 70 to 80 per cent with effective use of the face mask.

He further said there are a variety of home remedies such as appropriate use of honey, immediate change of dress after reaching home and taking shower before going to bed to reduce the risk of pollen attack.

As climate change shortens springtime in Islamabad and makes it much less rainy, pollen allergy problems are skyrocketing.

The concentration of pollen in the air has begun to go up with the onset of the spring season and the locals of the federal capital have to deal with pollen allergy along with the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Dr Sharif Astori, people allergic to pollen should avoid insect repellent sprays, smoking cigarettes, smelling paints, perfumes, walking in the garden, using carpets on the floor. They have asked pollen allergy patients to close the windows of the vehicles while travelling.

Health experts said that sneezing, sore throat, runny nose and eyes, and difficulty in breathing are the symptoms of pollen allergy.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2021.