If you’ve been sneezing, coughing and struggling with a scratchy throat for the last few weeks, you’re likely not alone.
Allergy season began earlier than usual in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island, according to the Aerobiology Research Laboratories, which focuses on pollen data collection.
Director Daniel Coates tells 1130 NewsRadio it’s usual to see high pollen counts in late January or early February, but there’s something different happening this year.
“What is unusual is how quickly it rose from low levels to high levels over the last few weeks. We’re seeing a lot of Alder in the air. We’re seeing a lot of Cedar in the air. We’re seeing low to moderate levels of Willow and Elm and Hazelnut and moderate to very high levels of Cedar and Alder, and Alder is quite allergenic for a lot of people,” Coates explained.
He says the Lower Mainland’s warm winter is to blame.
“Pollen loves warm weather,” which, he points out, was the theme in much of southern B.C.
“This year it happened earlier, and it happened quickly, and so the pollen decided to start releasing along with that warm weather.”
“Based on the trend, and the way we treat the environment, it’s only going to continue to get worse.”
As climate change tightens its grip on the world, he says residents can expect their allergies to worsen. Potentially.
“Yes and no. You are going to see more pollen, and we are. Over the last three decades that we’ve been [researching], we are seeing more pollen every year in the air, and there’s a direct correlation between the warm temperatures. But… pollen is like a business cycle. It goes up and down, year over year, up and down, up and down. But overall, we are seeing more pollen in the air… so this is why you get a lot of people denying climate change cause they’re like, ‘It’s cooler right now.’ But that’s not how it works. It’s how the overall trend is going — that dictates the correlation between global warming and the pollen.”
He adds that pollen rates have almost doubled from the early 90s and could quadruple in the next three decades.
“The overall trend shows a dramatic increase in pollen across Canada. We are projecting that it’s only going to continue to get worse. We don’t have exact numbers because it’s Mother Nature, but based on the trend and the way we treat the environment, it’s only going to continue to get worse. There’s no cure for seasonal allergies, so allergy sufferers are going to suffer more, and the data shows more and more people are being affected by seasonal allergies.”
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Coates adds that the number of people who have allergies is increasing, and those hoping for a reprieve in the spring and summer are out of luck.
“Pollen likes heat. There does have to be an element of warmth and sunlight and heat in the air for it to release. It’s basically the release mechanism to say it’s OK to start growing more trees because that is what pollen is. Not only are we seeing higher concentrations of it, but we’re also seeing it dramatically change from the start to the end of the season. So, we’re seeing longer seasons of pollen in the air, but where we would typically say, ‘OK. Birch pollen is from April 1 to May 15.” No, not anymore at all. It could be March 15 to April 15 or April 1 to May 15 or April 30 into early June. It’s changing when it starts as well, when it ends and how long.”
He says you check pollen counts daily, and if you’re struggling, wear a mask outdoors.
“Pets are the worst. They carry it all over your bed. They carry it all over your house. Try to wipe their feet or something when they come in; that will help minimize the effects. Don’t dry your laundry outdoors if it’s really bad. Close your windows.”
The first day of spring in B.C. is Mar. 20.