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NM pollen counts surge
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As spring begins, air quality in New Mexico has seen a sharp decline. One reason is the increased pollen being released into the air.
“There’s been a lot of pollen in the air, especially with the wind, and this time of year we get a convergence of lots of different types of pollen,” said Chelsea Langer, the acting bureau chief for the Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau.
Some of the pollen is from elm, ash, cottonwood, mulberry and juniper trees. Pollen can cause sneezing, coughing and irritated eyes.
“Here in Albuquerque we actually have some of the worst allergies, and the reason for that is our pollen, our plants, start much earlier,” said board-certified allergy immunology specialist Jack Ghably.
Pollen results from a plant‘s reproductive cycles. Plants release it into the air and it travels with the wind.
“The plants are natural, they have to survive, and this is how they figured out the best way to survive,” said Ghably.
This year, pollen counts have been especially high around the state.
“We did get warmer earlier, so the trees, of course, see that as a signal to start pollinating earlier. Also, we have some moisture and, of course, the trees respond to that by releasing even more pollen,” said Ghably.
There are many ways to combat allergic reactions caused by pollen, including staying indoors, wearing masks and antihistamines.
