Pollen levels prompt allergy alert in south of France

Allergy sufferers are being warned to watch out for heavy presence of cypress pollen in departments along the Mediterranean coast of France.
The pollen index is currently at maximum levels for cypress pollen in 11 departments along the south coast from the Alpes-Maritimes to Pyrénées-Orientales, prompting air quality and allergy watchdogs to ATMO, and the RNSA, the national aerobiological monitoring network to issue red air quality alerts for high pollen risk.

Another five departments heading into Nouvelle Aquitaine have been placed on orange pollen alert.

Away from those areas the allergy risk remains low, although a pollution spike in Ile de France caused by current high pressure levels, has prompted warnings that high pollution could exacerbate symptoms for those with allergies.

To keep up to date with pollen levels across France log on to the Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique website pollens.fr