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November 9, 2009

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Mulberry trees produce record pollen count

Wednesday, March 25, 1998 | 9:56 a.m.

Las Vegans with itching eyes and runny noses can blame their symptoms on record pollen counts produced by mulberry trees growing in Southern Nevada.

The Clark County Health District's Monty Symmonds counted 65,102 pollen grains in an air sample from Baskin Park on Oakey Boulevard Tuesday.

The previous record was set a year ago when 60,000 pollen grains were found in an air sample taken at Griffith Elementary School on Essex Street and Alta Drive, Symmonds said.

Pollen counts from 0 to 49 grains are considered light. It's when the count jumps to 1,000 or more that hayfever sufferers start sneezing.

Southern Nevada's record pollen count is 65 times higher than the threshold level for discomfort. This year's mulberry pollen was delayed for a couple weeks, Symmonds said, because the mulberry trees blossomed later this year. February's cooler temperatures and rainfall dampened the pollen.

Health officials advise people suffering from allergies to stay inside, use an air conditioner and to shower after being outdoors.

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