Aerobiology Research in the news – This article was featured on City News June 18 by reporter Pamela Pagano. Read some of the article and then click on the link for the rest of the report.
Many may have seen white fluff floating in the air or even piled up on the ground over the last week or so across Montreal, but what exactly is it? Well, experts say, despite what many assume, it’s not pollen at all.
“It’s seeds actually,” explained Dr. Alain Paquette, biology professor at UQAM. “So it’s not pollen.”
Simply put, when the male flower of a poplar tree pollinates the female flower, it produces seeds wrapped in fluffy white fibers –the “summer snow” many Montrealers have seen in the air.
“There’s a small baby tree in there ready to germinate and produce a very large tree,” said Paquette. “It’s actually one of the largest trees in North America.”
The white stuff comes from female poplar trees, which is then carried away by the wind.
These seeds are harmless and not an allergen, Paquette explained.
As for pollen, he added that it is microscopic; and because of this, it can get into one’s lungs, provoking allergic reactions like asthma.
Aerobiology Research Laboratories, based in Ottawa, provides aeroallergen levels across Canada, and said that pollen levels in Montreal are higher than usual but “not apocalyptic.” That it’s starting to tail off now.
“When you know (pollen) is in the air, you can take precautions to minimize its effects on your health,” said Daniel Coates, Director of Aerobiology Research Laboratories. “Like wear sunglasses when you’re outside because it helps keep it out of your eyes.”
“If you’re gardening, wear a mask that really helps keep it out of your air passages,” he added. “Don’t let pets into your bed because they carry pollen, a lot of it.”
Click to continue reading What the fluff? Montreal’s ‘summer snow’ explained, and no, it’s not pollen
