Pollen alert

THE hay fever season has just started and rising pollen levels throughout the coming summer months will lead to misery for one in 10 people living in Ireland.

This year is predicted to moderate to severe in terms of pollen intensity, with the grass pollen season likely to start in late May or the beginning of June.

Pollen’s effect — generally, the higher the pollen count, the stronger people’s symptoms — is governed by the weather. Wet weather dampens down pollen and makes it difficult for it to enter the air.