App forecasts relief for allergy sufferers

A Toulouse start-up has developed an app that helps allergy sufferers prepare for peaks in pollen and air pollution by supplying three-day pollen forecasts.

Météo Pollen, launched by Toulouse-based start-up Weather Force in partnership with the European Meteorological Centre, means allergy sufferers can stock up on remedies or change their routines in advance of forecast spikes in pollen levels and air quality.

The app, which has been downloaded nearly 10,000 times in its first month, currently delivers three-day forecasts for grass, birch and olive pollen levels and tips on coping with periods of high concentration developed by allergy experts.

Data for other pollens will be included from the autumn, developers said, while a notification system for pollen spikes will be added in the coming days.