There's a reason your allergies have been bad in Cobb County this week
If sore throat, nasal congestion or other lovely sinus infection symptoms have been your life this week in Cobb County, you're not alone.
Ragweed is here, and it's bad.
"Although the ragweed pollen season runs from August to November, ragweed pollen levels usually peak in mid-September in many areas in the country," according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
For those who can't find the calendar app on their phone because of adverse effects to their antihistamines, Sept. 15 is Thursday.
Monday's pollen count was a sniffle-inducing 40 and Tuesday's sits at 26.
Weather.com says the ragweed pollen count for Tuesday in Marietta and Smyrna is "very high" and shows a scary red circle but mere burnt orange "high" partial circles the rest of the week.
No such reprieve for Kennesaw and Acworth: straight-up scary circles through Thursday with a three-quarters orange circle for Friday.
It appears Austell and Powder Springs are is getting off easy Tuesday with more calm, yellow "moderate" circles.
But have no fear, the NIEHS has some tips for your allergies:
- Avoid the outdoors between 5 a.m. - 10 a.m.; save outside activities for late afternoon or after a heavy rain, when pollen levels are lower.
- Keep windows in your home and car closed to lower exposure to pollen. To keep cool, use air conditioners and avoid using window and attic fans.
- Be aware that pollen can also be transported indoors on people and pets.
- Dry your clothes in an automatic dryer rather than hanging them outside, otherwise pollen can collect on clothing and be carried indoors.
About the Author
Ben Brasch is the reporter tasked with keeping Fulton County government accountable. The Florida native moved to Atlanta for a job with The AJC. If there's something important to you going on in Fulton, he wants to know about it. Help him better metro Atlanta by dropping a line, anonymously or otherwise.
