Mold, pollen counts soar in area

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Mold, pollen counts soar in area

Marsha Sills

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South Louisiana has its share of attractions - gumbo, Creole and

Cajun music, crawfish.

But not many people consider its " world-class " mold count.

Allergy season is well under way, and the mold and tree pollen

counts are high in the area.

" The tree pollen is unusually high this time of year, mainly the oak

right now, " said Michon Bourque, a nurse at the Allergy & Asthma

Center of Southwest Louisiana. Bourque literally counts pollen

collected for reports to the regional weather service.

The counts are posted on the center's Web site. Last week, the

weekly mold count was 10,742 cubic meters, while the tree pollen

counts have ranged between 3,000 to 7,000, she said.

A very high concentration is considered 1,500 cubic meters.

Reactions to mold are similar to symptoms of other allergens -

sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose and itchy, watery eyes.

Over-the-counter antihistamines and drinking water will help

alleviate symptoms. If that doesn't help, it may be time to visit a

doctor, recommended Dr. J. Brent Prather, a Lafayette allergist.

" South Louisiana has world class mold counts, " Prather said. " Every

plant has a mold that grows on it - whether it's soy beans, rice or

sugar cane. When you cut the crop, you release a lot of the mold in

the air. The dust you see floating in the air where crops are, that

dust is loaded with spores. Even cutting the grass releases mold. "

While allergens are seasonal - pecan pollen season begins in about

three weeks - mold season is year-round.

" It peaks every time you have a rain and goes in cycles depending on

crop season, " Prather said.

But allergen sufferers aren't doomed to stay indoors.

Common sense may be the best prevention in limiting exposure to mold

and other allergens.

The following precautions are recommended by the American Academy of

Allergy, Asthma and Immunology:

Avoid being downwind or outdoors if possible when grass or crops are

being cut.

Use air conditioning, rather than opening windows.

Keep vehicle windows up while driving.

Pollen counts are higher in the morning, so try to minimize outdoor

activity.

Don't hang sheets or clothing on the line to dry outdoors.

Because wet soil promotes mold growth, don't overwater indoor plants.

Originally published April 6, 2006