‘Pollen count to increase in capital during this week

The pollen count on Sunday increased up to 15,345 per cubic metre in the air in the federal capital, the highest level paper mulberry.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Islamabad Official Dr Zaheer Babar said as a result of less rainfall during the predicted months of February and March, the pollen abundance was sharply increased. The pollen started early during the period, he said, adding that the pollen count would also increase during the upcoming week and pollen season is expected to end by mid-April.

PMD has been monitoring the airborne pollen in Islamabad throughout the year. Babar briefed that pollen monitoring unit of PMD had installed pollen monitoring devices in Sectors H-8, E-8, F-10 and G-6 of Islamabad.

The pollen concentration increases gradually with the onset of the spring season and attains its peak around full blossom, he said, adding that the most abundant pollen types in Islamabad were from 08 plant species (i. e. Paper Mulberry, Acacia, Eucalyptus, Pines, Grasses, Cannabis, Dandelion and Alternaria).

He said out of all these plants, Paper Mulberry shares about 97 percent of the total pollen and its concentration touches the extreme limits of about 40,000 per cubic meter of air at the peak of the blossom season.

People suffering from asthma and respiratory diseases experience serious consequences due to a sharp increase in pollen concentrations, he said. Health practitioner at Holy Family Hospital Dr Irshad said that allergy patients should remain cautious to avoid any complications. He said that precaution is the best tool and take preemptive measures to fight with the allergy.

The symptoms of pollen allergy are sneezing accompanied by a runny or clogged nose, itching eyes, nose, and throat, he said, adding that Paper Mulberry trees and hazardous particles in the air were becoming main source of pollen allergy which is harmful to asthma patients. APP