Pollen count hits nine-year high in Islamabad

Pollen count hits nine-year high in Islamabad. Hundreds of patients have been visiting hospitals for treatment daily

The pollen count in Islamabad was reportedly at its highest in nine years on Tuesday (March 20) at 82,270 particles per cubic meter of air (PPCM).

The highest recorded pollen concentration last year in the city was 74,301 PPCM.

More than 8,000 pollen patients have visited the hospital since the start of the allergy season, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

The reasons for the rising pollen count in Islamabad this month are sporadic light rains, warm days and cool nights along with winds helped flowers bloom which pushed the pollen count up.

The very high pollen release is largely due to the blooming of paper mulberry, followed by grasses and various fungi, while cannabis found abundantly in Islamabad, has also started to release its spores.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that the highest concentration was recorded in Sector H-8 at 43,330 pollen per cubic metre of air. The second highest concentration of pollen was recorded in Sector E-8 where concentrations of 17,809 were recorded. Sector G-6 recorded a slightly milder concentration of 14,175 and Sector F-10 of 6,914.

Read: Pollen is in the air – 7 Tips for surviving allergy season

This was the highest concentration of pollen recorded in the capital in the past eight years. Around 43,780 PPCM recorded on March 17, 2009, while the highest ever pollen count in recent history was at 48,080 PPCM on March 26, 2005.

However, the intensity of the pollen is expected to die down soon. Pakistan met office has said that rains and thunderstorms with gusty winds are expected at isolated places in Islamabad, Kashmir and central Punjab during the coming two days, which is likely to help reduce the spread of pollen grains.

Pollen Treatment Camp

A pollen allergy camp was established by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration and the Aabpara Community Centre on Tuesday.

The camp received 348 patients on its first day including 227 men, 103 women and 18 children, according to District Health Officer Dr Mohammad Najeeb Durrani.

“The camp provided symptomatic treatment for allergy patients, mostly affected by inhaling paper mulberry tree spores. The pollen count is at its highest this week. The camp provides allopathic, homeopathic and tib medicines to patients at different counters so patients can receive the healthcare of their choice,” he said.

 

Nuxhat Khurshidhttps://islamabadscene.com
Nuxhat Khurshid is a passionate writer, reader and documentary-maker. She mostly writes on environment, climate change and development issues for Islamabad Scene.

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