Clear signs of another bumper pollen season in Canberra

Simon Haberle doing the daily test of air quality in Canberra. Photo: Jamie Kidston/ANU - Canberra's very own 'pollen guy' has already measured extreme levels of pollen this month. What's that mean for the allergy season ahead? Extreme levels of pollen from cypress pine trees in the Canberra region this week are a clear sign allergy sufferers can expect a congested season ahead, according to a leading pollen expert from The Australian National University (ANU). Director at the ANU School of Culture, History and Language Professor Simon Haberle leads a team of researchers who track daily pollen and spore counts on the  Canberra Pollen website. He says while elevated levels of allergenic tree pollen are not uncommon during late winter, extreme levels are unusual and likely brought on by the wet winter. "This is perhaps an indication of another bumper year for airborne pollen in and around the ACT," Professor Haberle said. "On 12 August we saw our first extreme allergenic pollen day of cypress pine pollen, which was followed on 16 August by another extreme cypress pollen day in combination with high pine pollen as well.