How is Pollen Count Measured?

If you suffer from allergies, specifically allergic rhinitis/hay fever and/or allergies caused by excess pollen in the air, you probably monitor the pollen count to determine if you're going to spend time outdoors. And Atlanta, Georgia is one of the worst cities in America for allergies.

According to Wikipedia:

"Pollen count is the measurement of the number of grains of pollen in a cubic meter of air. The higher the number, the more people will suffer if they are allergic to a particular pollen (hay fever). Usually, the counts are announced for specific plants such as grass, ash, or olive. These are tailored to what is usually a common plant in the area being measured.

One method of taking the sample uses a silicone grease-covered rod that is rotated in the air to collect the pollen. The rod is rotated periodically during the collection period to gather samples through an entire 24-hour day. The rod is then removed and taken to a lab where the collected material is analyzed for the type of pollen and its concentration."

You can get a daily report on this blog for the pollen count in Atlanta and surrounding areas.

You may also subscribe to our daily email pollen reports that help you prepare for outdoor activities when pollen counts are typically high (in the Spring and Fall). Click to visit our subscription page.