Excerpted from the Technicianonline.com – April 8, 2010
By Arth Pandya, Staff Writer
Wednesday's Raleigh Pollen Level, 3,524 Grains Per Cubic Meter Set An Area Record
Like a dusting of snow, tree pollen has covered much of North Carolina this week after a quick transition from winter into a warm spring.
Pollen levels in North Carolina reached record highs this week, with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Air Quality Division recording the highest concentrations since air quality agencies started measuring pollen in the late 1990s. According to John King, associate professor of tree physiology (at NC State University), pollen usually reaches its peak during late March and early April. King added that the cause of record pollen levels has been the sudden change in weather. However, King said he believes the pollen levels have hit their highest point for this season. "The pine pollen has peaked. It should start declining from here on out," he said.