France on alert for high grass pollen levels
Seven departments in the south west of France and in the Pays-de-la-Loire are on 鈥渧ery high risk鈥� alert for grass pollen allergies, and much of the rest of the country is also at 鈥渉eightened risk鈥�.
Air monitoring network le Re虂seau National de Surveillance Ae虂robiologique (RNSA) issued on Friday May 31, and it is expected to remain in place until June 6.
The very high risk alert concerns the Gers, Lot-et-Garonne, Lot, Maine-et-Loire, the Pyr茅n茅es-Atlantiques, the Tarn-et-Garonne and the Vend茅e.
The Paris region and the south of France (except Corsica) are also at 鈥渉eightened risk鈥�.
At least one in three people in France from allergies due to pollen, with the number expected to rise to one in two by 2050.
The RNSA defines itself as studying 鈥渢he contents of biological particles in the air that could have an impact on the allergy risk for the population鈥�. It said that the current weather conditions are 鈥渧ery favourable to the dispersion of high levels of grass pollen in the air鈥�.
It also issued a warning for those who are allergic to olive tree and oak tree pollen, especially in the south.
The RNSA recommends that those who are very allergic should:
- Wash their hair at night time
- Air out the house for at least 10 minutes per day
- Avoid adding other irritants such as burning tobacco, incense, or candles
- Avoid outdoors activities such as mowing the lawn, gardening, or high-energy sports
- Avoid drying clothes outside (as they can collect pollen)
- Keep windows closed when driving
