Pollen season has arrived!

The spring like conditions we’ve been recently experiencing in the Taupō district have brought on the pollen season and the fine, still days can result in a visible ‘cloud’ of pollen hovering above the plantation forest stands.

While pollen is very visible (due to the yellow compounds called flavonoids that protect the pollen from the suns UV-B radiation) it is generally considered an irritant, rather than an allergen, as less than 5% of people have an allergic reaction to pine pollen. This is because pine pollen grains are larger than other pollen types and do not penetrate as deeply into nasal passages. They also have a waxy coating that protects the internal compounds leaking out.

Scion Research have produced an information fact sheet on pine pollen, which is always a good read at this time of year. Click on this above to read answers to some commonly asked questions regarding pine pollen.

So while the pollen season may result in more frequently washed vehicles over the next few weeks, the health risks are very low and there are no negative environmental effects on the whenua.