Pollen plagues UNC's campus

Correction (April 12 12:30 a.m.): Due to a reporting error, this story incorrectly stated that sophomore Dakota Williams was a junior. The story has been changed to reflect the correction. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the error.

For a campus that usually sports Carolina blue, UNC is looking a little yellow.

That’s because the pollen covering campus these days is at its highest level since 2003 — seven times worse than is expected for this time of the year.

UNC students are reacting to the thick pollen with a mixture of irritation and humor.

How to deal with allergies

Stay indoors as much as possible. If you usually exercise outside, move it to the gym.

Don’t open your windows and let pollen into your room. If you have an air conditioner, turn it on because it will filter the air.

Take over-the-counter or prescription allergy medicine. Also consider over-the-counter eyedrops.

Source: Mary Covington, executive director of Campus Health Services

One student attempted to turn a thick layer of pollen into a patriotic statement by writing part of the Declaration of Independence in a coat of pollen on a handrail outside of Morrison Residence Hall.

“I thought it was pretty hilarious,” said sophomore Dakota Williams. “It was a good way to make fun of something that no one is particularly enjoying.”

Other students said the pollen covering campus has become a nuisance.

“It’s pretty ridiculous,” said sophomore Kesha Hudson. “I have a black car, and now it is yellow.”

Wednesday’s pollen count reached 3,524 grains per cubic meter, the highest count recorded in Raleigh since the city started to archive its data in 2003.

Wayne Cornelius, statistical services manager for the N.C. Division of Air Quality, said that based on historical data, he would have expected to see a count around 500 grains per cubic centimeter.

Cornelius said the abnormally high count results from the hot, dry weather.

“The suddenly warm weather has caused all of the pines and oaks to bloom at once,” said Mary Clark, a chemistry technician for the division.

Both Cornelius and Clark said rain should help to reduce the pollen count, and Cornelius said the plants should stop heavily shedding pollen by the end of April.

A lower pollen count will be welcomed by UNC groundskeepers, who have had extra work recently.

“It makes our jobs harder because you can’t keep everything cleaned off,” said John Harris, administration support associate for UNC Grounds Services.

Harris said groundskeepers are looking forward to some rainfall, which they hope will wash away some of the pollen.

Students are also looking forward to the rainfall — especially those with allergies.

“My friends are all dying,” said Lindsay Hoffman, a freshman from Cary.

Mary Covington, executive director of Campus Health Services, said Campus Health has seen a surge in students suffering from allergies and asthma. Even those that have never been bothered by allergies have visited Campus Health because of the high pollen count, Covington said.

“It’s what I call ‘the yellow season,’” she said.

Student Stores has also seen abnormally high allergy medicine sales recently and even sold out of medicine briefly on Wednesday.

“We’ve been selling it like crazy,” said Elizabeth Cotton, a student who works in Student Stores.

The pollen’s tendency to cling to clothing is also causing a fashion crisis, students said.

“It’s yellow, it’s annoying, and it gets on your pants,” said sophomore Marty Hortelano.

 

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.