Those suffering from allergy symptoms in Richmond may find them not as bad as it was a couple of months back.
According to the Weather Network, pollen levels have dropped since April and are now at moderate and low amounts for Richmond as of June 13.
True grasses have dropped to a moderate level in Richmond, while cedar, juniper and alder pollens are now at very low levels, according to data by Aerobiology Research.
Earlier this year, there was more pollen in the air due to warmer temperatures caused by climate change, according to Simon Fraser University health sciences lecturer Cecilia Sierra-Heredia.
With it becoming warmer earlier in the year, plants and flowers release their pollen grains earlier, causing pollen and allergy season to be extended, said Sierra-Heredia.
"While plants are making the most of these warmer environmental conditions during the spring to summer periods and even early fall, the humans who have allergies are constantly inhaling pollen grains and their bodies are treating them as threats," she said, in a news release.
Sierra-Heredia added that pollen count data showed there has been pollen for more days during previous years with more grains of pollen floating in the air.
The increases, she said, are linked and associated with the increasing temperatures and CO2.
-with files from Jennifer Thuncher/Squamish Chief
