The eyes of many French people are likely to redden this weekend. A rough weekend for the 25% of French people allergic to pollen. And for good reason: according to the latest information from the National Aerobiological Surveillance Network, two-thirds of French departments are placed on red alert. Thus, 68 departments are affected, compared to 60 last week.
The culprit is all found for scientists. “Birch pollen is here and will bother allergy sufferers over much of the country with high risk,” the center said in a statement.
Here are today’s allergy risk prediction maps for birch, plane, ash, oak. The rain showers which will cross the country will be able to offer moments of respite intermittently to the allergic people by coming to flatten the pollens on the ground.
This data is collected weekly. It is possible to know the state of the progress of the pollens, thanks to sensors distributed on the national territory – according to climatic, botanical criteria and population density. The recorded data is studied by an analyst and a doctor, then transmitted to the coordination center, based in Brussieu (Rhône), in dedicated premises.