July is here and it is officially summertime! The initial explosion of spring greenery has now settled in and the shadows of winter have faded. People are making the most of the great weather, but allergens are still lurking in the air. So what can you (and your lungs) expect to encounter on your summertime adventures?
Tree pollen season has ended in some parts of the country, while a few trees are still active in other areas. Grass pollen levels remain elevated across most of the nation, with experts predicting above-average levels for the Great Lakes region and the upper Pacific Coast this month. July is also peak season for weed pollen, with the Middle Atlantic states expected to be particularly affected. The Plains states and areas stretching north to California are anticipated to experience normal weed pollen activity.
Here are the typical pollens that can be found across the United States this July:
Northeast
Tree pollen: Black Walnut
Grass pollen:, Bermuda, Johnsongrass, Ryegrass, Timothy
Weeds: Cocklebur, Dock, Lamb’s Quarters, Marsh Elder, Nettle, Pigweed, Plantain, Ragweed, Russian Thistle, Sagebrush, Sorrel
Southeast
Tree pollen: Cedar, Juniper
Grass pollen: Bahia, Bermuda, Johnsongrass, Ryegrass, Timothy
Weeds: Cocklebur, Dock, Fireweed, Lamb’s Quarters, Nettle, Pigweed, Plantain, Ragweed, Russian Thistle, Sagebrush, Sorrel
Midwest
Tree pollen: Typically none in measurable quantity.
Grass pollen: Bermuda, Brome, Johnsongrass, Ryegrass, Timothy
Weeds: Cocklebur, Dock, Fireweed, Lamb’s Quarters, Marsh Elder, Nettle, Pigweed, Plantain, Russian Thistle, Sagebrush, Sorrel
South Central
Tree pollen: Typically none in measurable quantity.
Grass pollen: Bermuda, Johnsongrass, Ryegrass, Timothy
Weeds: Cocklebur, Dock, Fireweed, Lamb’s Quarters, Marsh Elder, Nettle, Pigweed, Plantain, Russian Thistle, Sagebrush, Sorrel
Southwest
Tree pollen: Cedar, Juniper
Grass pollen: Bahia, Bermuda, Johnsongrass, Ryegrass, Timothy
Weeds: Cocklebur, Dock, Fireweed, Lamb’s Quarters, Nettle, Pigweed, Plantain, Russian Thistle, Sagebrush, Scale, Sorrel
Northwest
Tree pollen: Typically none in measurable quantity.
Grass pollen: Brome, Johnsongrass, Orchard, Ryegrass, Timothy
Weeds: Cocklebur, Dock, Fireweed, Marsh Elder, Nettle, Plantain, Russian Thistle, Sagebrush, Scale, Sorrel
There isn't much you can do about the hot air outside, but you can make the most of the cooler air you have inside. Intellipure has air filtration solutions to keep you breathing easy all summer. From compact portable units all the way up to whole-house solutions. Intellipure’s DFS technology uses electronically enhanced filtration to attract and capture ultrafine particles (99.97% filtration down to 0.3 microns). Simply choose an Intellipure air purifier and experience world-class indoor air quality all summer long.
Do You Know About NO2?
Ozone isn’t the only airborne pollutant that crops up during the summer months. While nitrogen dioxide (NO2) doesn’t get as much attention, it is still a problem. NO2 is formed when fossil fuels such as gasoline, diesel, coal, and natural gas are burned at high temperatures. Pretty much anything with an exhaust pipe that burns fossil fuels is a source for NO2. As you already guessed, nitrogen dioxide is bad for you. It can cause airways to become inflamed, hamper lung functions, make existing coughing worse, trigger asthma, and other respiratory issues. If you live in a busy urban area, keep an eye on your local air quality reports. If NO2 is on the rise, it is best to just stay indoors with a high-quality air purifier like the Ultrafine 468.
Particulates Matter
During the summer the air is filled with tiny particles from a variety of sources. The good weather means construction sites are humming with activity, farmers are working the fields (and kicking up dust), wildfires flare up sending ash into the air, all the way down to the fine grass clippings from the lawn. All these things and more pump tons of fine particulates into the summer air and into our lungs. It is wise to keep an eye on your local air quality report and plan your outdoor activities accordingly. In some cases simply getting outside of urban areas can relieve particulate pollution, but that doesn’t always work with pollutants like wildfire smoke.
Intellipure air purifiers are well positioned to help you conquer allergies year round. Our solutions are engineered in the USA and trusted in nearly every industry. To find out more about the latest in clean air take a look at the Intellipure lineup and follow us on Instagram at @Intellipure.
