As it turns out this year’s long, miserable winter may not have caused its last devastating blow to the McKean County area, and the Northeastern states.
Since the winter lasted such a long time this year, it delayed spring which has caused an influx of pollen that is clobbering allergy sufferers locally and in the Northeast.
According to Dr. Clifford Bassett, medical director of Allergy & Asthma Care in New York,the most common pollen producers — oak and birch trees — are coming out late and in-sync with the seasonal trees, such as poplar and ash. The early and mid-spring pollen mixed with grass and other pollen producers are hitting the region all at the same time.
The top allergens of McKean County are birch, oak and mulberry, according to pollen.com. With the exception of this past Tuesday, the pollen count in McKean County has been registering in the medium to high range.
Even though larger news outlets and allergen websites warn of the impending danger of an exceedingly high pollen count, local agencies don’t seem to share their opinion.
“It is a difficult time of year, but it is the same difficulties we see every year,” said Dr. M. Javed Akhtar. “It is the usual irritating allergens in our area, mostly grass and wheat, but there does not seem to be an increase in respiratory issues.”
Mike Campogiani of the Bradford City Fire Department stated he had not noticed any increase in call volume concerning breathing issues or respiratory failure.
So even though pollen.com has our entire area marked in orange to signify a higher than average pollen density, it seems that local officials haven’t noticed any difference this season than in any other allergy season.
The website also provided a few tips to avoid pollen for allergy sufferers this season; don’t hang clothing outside to dry after being washed, wash your face and hands whenever returning from outdoors, keep floors and window sills clean with regular maintenance, consider air-purifying plants, such as English Ivy or Bamboo Palm and their last tip was to not sweep outside, use the hose to rinse areas instead.
