Ragweed season peaks in September

CINCINNATI - It’s ragweed season… the main cause of hay fever.  It peaks in September, and sticks around until the first frost. 

The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency tracks the amount of ragweed pollen that is in the air along with other contaminants.

Every morning, Monday through Friday, they grease a plastic rod, put it in a rod holder, and then put the holder in a rotorod sampler on their roof. It spins and collects data for a 24-hour period, then gets stained and put under a microscope. Pollen is then counted, along with mold and particulate matter. 

A report is then released by 10 a.m. for the public to access in order to take precautions if the levels are high, especially ragweed.

“The plant itself is everywhere. It likes really hot, humid weather and we’ve had a hot summer, so it’s not surprising maybe our counts have been high.”

If you’re an allergy sufferer, Anna Kelley, the Monitoring and Analysis Supervisor at the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency, has some advice.

“Easy tips that people can do if they notice that they have an allergy to pollen, to ragweed, or any pollen is to really stay indoors.  Instead of maybe having the windows open these cool nights, you know, close the windows and use the AC.”

More tips from the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency website:

·         Avoid areas with freshly cut grass and avoid lawn care activities.

·         Minimize outdoor activity between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.

·         Contact an allergist or doctor for medical advice.

·         Track pollen and mold counts by calling the Agency’s Pollen and Mold Hotline at (513) 946-7753 or by visiting www.SouthwestOhioAir.org .

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