It’s not just smoke from fireworks that clears up on the Fifth of July. It’s also grass pollen, giving allergy sufferers across the Willamette Valley greater independence from sneezing fits and watery eyes. KLCC’s Brian Bull explains.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, pollen counts peaked, as regional grass fields released pollen into the air. Melanie Wayne, of Oregon Allergy Specialists says it was predicted things would improve come July 4th.
“We look forward to the fields in our surrounding areas get cut and hayed," says Wayne. "That brings down the pollen count. And we’re right on target. Our counts came down into the 50s, whereas they were up over 600…”
That’s parts per million (ppm), by the way. Wayne says many people can now relax and enjoy summer.
“There are some weed pollens that get going here throughout July and August, but our pollen counts for the weed pollens don’t nearly measure up to what we get for grass or even tree pollen.”
Wayne says it’s best to start your allergy regimen in April or May, ahead of the big grass pollen release in June.
Copyright 2018, KLCC.
