No doubt that this summer has been a scorcher across the country, but we aren’t out of the woods yet! There is some good news though. Tree pollen sufferers are past the worst of it and grass pollen is starting to dwindle, but that also means it is time for other plants to take their place. Weed pollen is in full effect everywhere at this point in the summer. While not as visible as the yellow clouds of tree pollen earlier this year, weed pollen is making itself known with every sniffle and sneeze.
Here are the typical pollens that can be found across the United States this August:
Northeast
Tree pollen: Typically none in measurable quantity.
Grass pollen: Bermuda, Johnsongrass
Weeds: Cocklebur, Dogfennel, Lamb’s Quarters, Marsh Elder, Pigweed, Plantain, Ragweed, Russian Thistle, Sagebrush
Southeast
Tree pollen: Cedar, Elm, Juniper
Grass pollen: Bahia, Bermuda, Johnsongrass
Weeds: Cocklebur, Kochia, Lamb’s Quarters, Pigweed, Plantain, Ragweed, Russian Thistle, Sagebrush
Midwest
Tree pollen: Typically none in measurable quantity.
Grass pollen: Bermuda, Johnsongrass
Weeds: Cocklebur, Kochia, Lamb’s Quarters, Marsh Elder, Nettle, Pigweed, Plantain, Ragweed, Russian Thistle, Sagebrush
South Central
Tree pollen: Elm
Grass pollen: Bermuda, Johnsongrass
Weeds: Cocklebur, Kochia, Lamb’s Quarters, Marsh Elder, Nettle, Pigweed, Plantain, Ragweed, Russian Thistle, Sagebrush
Southwest
Tree pollen: Cedar, Elm, Juniper
Grass pollen: Bahia, Bermuda, Johnsongrass
Weeds: Cocklebur, Kochia, Lamb’s Quarters, Pigweed, Plantain, Ragweed, Russian Thistle, Sagebrush, Scale
Northwest
Tree pollen: Typically none in measurable quantity.
Grass pollen: Johnsongrass
Weeds: Cocklebur, Kochia, Marsh Elder, Plantain, Ragweed, Russian Thistle, Sagebrush, Scale
Some days it is just better to beat the heat inside. When you escape the summer heat make sure you have the best possible indoor air quality with an Intellipure air purifier. Intellipure has compact portable air purifiers all the way up to whole-house solutions. Simply choose an Intellipure air purifier and breath easier knowing your indoor air is world-class.
The Connection Between Sunshine and Air Pollution
The sunshine that makes for great summer days at the beach has a darker side: it also helps create air pollution. The sun itself does not generate pollution, rather the chemical pollutants floating in the air react to sunlight. When chemicals react to sunlight they are called photochemical reactions. For example ozone (O3) is formed when molecular oxygen reacts with free ranging oxygen atoms in the atmosphere. The free ranging oxygen atoms come from nitrogen dioxide (NO2) that has absorbed sunlight causing it to break down into nitric oxide (NO) and an oxygen atom (O). That’s just one pollutant. Others like aldehydes, nitric acid, and peroxyacyl nitrates are all formed due to sunlight exposure. When all of these airborne pollutants gather together you end up with smog. The longer days with lots of sunshine are another reason why air pollution peaks during the summer months in many areas.
Stagnant Air Makes Summer Air Pollution Worse
During hot summer months it can feel like the air is just heavy with heat. But it can also be filled with air pollution. When high-pressure weather systems sit still there isn’t much movement in the atmosphere in any direction or height. That leads to stagnant air developing where pollutants like ozone and fine particles like PM2.5 become trapped. Without wind to move things around vehicles and industrial emissions aren’t dispersed. Without air movement mixing things up vertically the atmosphere becomes layered, typically trapping pollution at ground level. Even worse, the same hot, dry conditions also mean no rain. Rain is a great way to wash away pollutants from the air but without it harmful gases and particles continue to build. It is important to check your local outdoor air quality before heading outside this August. If the readings are bad, consider staying inside near your air purifier until things improve.
Intellipure air purifiers are engineered in the USA and trusted across the country. They are designed to capture allergens and air pollutants no matter the source. To find out more about the Intellipure air purifier lineup and follow us on Instagram at @Intellipure.
