France placed on red alert for pollen

France’s Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique (RSNA), which measures levels of pollens and other allergenics in the air, has placed all departments in metropolitan France, except Alpes-Maritimes, on red or orange alert until Friday. Corsica is unaffected.

“Only the arrival of a rainy period will bring relief to those with allergies,” the organisation warns. “However, it is necessary to be wary because if rain does clear the sky of pollens, storms could encourage respiratory discomfort and asthma attacks.”

People who suffer from hay fever or allergies are advised to dry laundry inside, wear sunglasses and wash hair daily to reduce the incidence of pollen locally.

It is estimated that 18 million people in France are allergic to grass pollens.

For up to date information on pollen levels in your region visit http://www.pollens.fr/docs/vigilance.html