The abnormal snow and rain showers this April have improved air quality by reducing pollen counts measured in the Eugene-Springfield area, but it could be an indicator of allergy season coming back in full force once the region dries out.

Early spring tends to bring an elevated tree pollen count as opposed to grass pollen, and on April 8 the Oregon Allergy Association measured a “very high” tree pollen count of 1,254, more than double the 500 required to reach the highest category. In contrast, Wednesday saw a noticeable decrease in tree pollen count, with a “moderate” rating of 28 due to the rain, and zero grass pollen recorded.

Registered nurse Judy Moran, who works for the Oregon Allergy Association, said the counts typically reflect the weather activity over the past 24 hours of when it was measured.

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“If it was a really nice or hot day, and someone is seeing the count, presuming that I did the count that next day and published it, then it could be weather like this (snow) outside and they’re going, ‘Oh, I can’t go outside today because the count was sky high.’ Well, weather conditions are totally different, so their exposure is probably going to be less outside.”

Still, air quality agencies are recommending Oregonians take steps to protect themselves from allergies and respiratory problems.

While this week’s rain and snow creates a short-term reprieve from pollen in the air, it could also be a double-edged sword, according to Travis Knudsen, the public affairs manager for Lane Regional Air Protection Agency. The rain is beneficial for the local forests that have endured a drought so far this year, but it also will encourage plant growth and can lead to higher pollen counts, he said.

“It could be great now, but then in a couple of days it will sort of double down and see the pollen everywhere again,” he said, noting that grass pollen season tends to start around late May or early June.

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One basic tip for those who suffer from allergies mentioned by Knudsen was to make sure all doors and windows are closed to prevent pollen or other particles from getting in. He also suggested using a HEPA air purifier to improve indoor air quality, and noted having a HEPA filter on vacuum cleaners helps prevent sending harmful particles airborne inside homes.

“With any sort of dust or pollen that can be aggravating to people that gets into the carpet, the moment you vacuum, if it doesn’t have one of those filters on it, it sort of throws it all back up in the air,” Knudsen said.

To measure the pollen count, the allergy association uses a vacuum pump that pulls air through a small port on a measurement device, which is directed into the wind. The air hits a greased microscope slide, and afterwards Moran and others use a microscope and count how many pollen grains there were over a 24-hour period to calculate the amount of pollen period per cubic meter.

In comparison to last week’s high tree pollen, the grass pollen count was rated as “moderate” for April 8, with nine grains of pollen measured per cubic meter over 24 hours. A “high” rating for grass pollen starts at 20, and goes up to “very high” at 200.

Moran noted that grass pollen tends to be more harmful to people in the area with allergies than tree pollen, given the amount of grass seed harvesting in the Willamette Valley. Oregon has some of the highest grass pollen counts in the world, she said, typically reaching its peak in late May and June.

“When some of these fields pollinate and you know it’s actually visible to the naked eye,” she said.

Following the rain and snow earlier in the week, Eugene, Oakridge and Cottage Grove all had “good” air quality ratings Monday with air quality index ratings of 11, 4 and 5, respectively. To keep an eye on new local pollen counts, updates are online at oregonallergyassociates.com/pollen-counts.

Louis Krauss covers breaking news for The Register-Guard. Contact him at [email protected], and follow him on Twitter @LouisKraussNews.

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