Pollen levels spike throughout France 

France is on high alert for pollen today and tomorrow, including birch, alder, and grass pollen, with authorities warning people who suffer from allergies to be prepared.

Broadcaster France Info maintains a daily map of allergy alert levels by department, using data from air quality surveillance association, Atmo France.

There are six levels of alert index:

• Very Low

• Low

• Moderate

• High

• Very High

• Extremely High

Pollen allergies affect nearly one-third of the French population, says Atmo France.

Birch pollen: High alert

Today (April 8), one department is on Very High alert for birch pollen: Ardennes (Grand Est). 

In addition, 39 departments are on High alert for birch pollen today.

On high alert:

• Ain, Aisne, Aube, Cantal, Corrèze, Côte-d'Or, Creuse, Doubs, Eure, Isère, Jura, Loire, Lozère, Marne, Haute-Marne, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Moselle, Nièvre, Nord, Oise, Pas-de-Calais, Puy-de-Dôme, Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, Haute-Saône, Saône-et-Loire, Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Paris, Seine-Maritime, Somme, Haute-Vienne, Vosges, Territoire de Belfort, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne, Val-d'Oise.

Aveyron, and Haute-Loire are also set to go on High alert tomorrow (April 9).

The following departments are on Moderate alert today and tomorrow:

• Allier, Hautes-Alpes, Ariège, Aveyron, Calvados, Cher, Eure-et-Loir, Finistère, Indre, Haute-Loire, Manche, Orne, Seine-et-Marne, Yvelines, Yonne, and Essonne.

Alder pollen

Two departments are on High alert for alder pollen today:

• Ariège, and Lozère

One department is on Moderate alert:

• Tarn

Four are on Low alert:

• Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Haute-Corse, Hautes-Pyrénées, and Vendée.

Grass pollen

The whole of mainland France (including Corsica) is on Low alert for grass pollen.

Advice for people with allergies

Atmo France and FranceInfo recommend that people take the following action to reduce their chance of severe allergies in high pollen season:

• Wash or rinse your hair every evening, as pollen tends to build up on your hair

• Air out your home for at least 10 minutes a day before sunrise and after sunset, as pollen is released into the air during the day

• Avoid worsening your symptoms by adding more irritants or allergens into the air (tobacco, cleaning or DIY products, home fragrances, incense, candles, etc.)

• Avoid outdoor activities that lead to overexposure to pollen such as mowing the lawn, gardening, sports, etc. Opt for the late afternoon and wear protective eyewear and a mask.

• Avoid drying laundry outdoors

• Avoid planting allergenic plants such as birch, oak, hazel, cypress, olive, or reed.

Pay even closer attention to these recommendations during periods of high air pollution. If your symptoms worsen and become unmanageable, consult a doctor or pharmacist immediately. If you experience breathing problems or asthma attacks, call emergency services on 15 or 112.