Oklahoma City and Tulsa among top five cities for allergy misery

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma's two largest cities are among the top five cities in the country with high levels of ragweed and tree pollen in a national health surveillance system.<br/><br/>Ragweed

Wednesday, September 21st 2005, 5:45 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma's two largest cities are among the top five cities in the country with high levels of ragweed and tree pollen in a national health surveillance system.

Ragweed pollen was measured Tuesday at its highest level this year, according to the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic in Oklahoma City.

Levels of tree and grass pollen also were extremely high and the clinic issued an "allergy alert."

"Tree and weed pollen levels are at a critical stage and people with allergies should take precautions," said Dr. Dean Atkinson with the allergy clinic.

About 500,000 Oklahomans have seasonal allergies, officials said.

The private companies Pollen.com and Surveillance Data Inc. ranked Oklahoma City and Tulsa along with Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas, and Fort Smith, Ark., as the cities with the highest pollen levels. Mold levels were average.

Five New England and New York towns had the lowest pollen levels.

Many Oklahomans have allergenic rhinitis, pollen asthma and hay fever, Atkinson said. Spring and fall are the worst times of the year for these sufferers.

Plentiful summer rains followed by warm, dry and windy conditions help cause high ragweed and tree pollen levels, he said.

Physicians suggest keeping windows closed at night; using air conditioning; minimizing early morning activity since pollen is usually emitted between 5 and 10 AM; and keeping car windows closed.