Accuweather Mold Count (2024)

FAQs

What causes high mold count outdoors? ›

Mold spores can grow both outdoors and indoors all year round. They are fungi with seeds called 'spores' that travel through air. Some spores spread in dry, windy weather while others spread with fog or dew when the humidity is high. Mold spores count is highest at night, especially when it's foggy, damp or rainy.

The most common grass pollens in New York City come from Bermuda grass, timothy grass, and sweet vernal grass. Ragweed: Ragweed is a weed that is very common in New York City. Ragweed pollen season starts in August and can last until October. Where can I find a pollen map for New York?

The pollen season in New York City lasts mainly from April to August when most types of trees and grasses are in bloom. However, there are some tree species that bloom earlier, such as ash and birch especially if there has been a mild winter.

Tree pollen allergy causes seasonal allergic rhinitis. (Some people call this “hay fever.”) Pollen from weeds and grasses also trigger allergic rhinitis. Tree pollen season also often overlaps with grass pollen in the late spring and summer. Throughout the U.S., trees produce the most pollen from March through May.

Generally speaking, a concentration of mold spores below 500 sp/m3 is considered normal. A concentration of mold spores above 500 sp/m3 is considered high. Therefore, if your report comes up with high concentrations of mold, it will likely advise you to remediate the problem.

And the cause of this longer, more intense allergy season? Climate change. “There's higher amounts of pollen due to rising greenhouse gasses and more CO2 in the air, which plants thrive off of,” Parikh tells CNBC Make It.

Ragweed plants are releasing pollen for longer periods during the year and the plants are releasing higher pollen amounts. Climate change is also causing increased carbon dioxide gas in the air, which stimulates ragweed plants to make more pollen.

Worst Cities and States for Allergies

States with a lot of trees, grass, and weeds will have a lot of allergens. Areas in the Northeast U.S. like Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut. Virginia, Kansas, and Texas have a high rate of allergens.

Additionally, allergens such as dust mites and mold grow in damp conditions. Rainy weather can increase the number of these allergens both indoors and outdoors. This can lead to increased allergy symptoms. Rain also leads to many people spending the day inside.

When does allergy season start in 2024 in NYC? ›

New York allergy season will typically start sometime in late February/early March and end in late October. The cold winters provide a welcome relief from pollen allergies, but indoor allergies should still be considered.

The worst month for allergies will vary based on where you live. Across the United States, May typically is the worst. In May, most of the country sees elevated pollen counts. This includes both trees and the beginning of some grass pollens.

Second-generation antihistamines: The preferred first-step agent is certirizine (Zyrtec); others include loratadine (Claritin), fexofenadine (Allegra). All are taken once per day and are generally cause little to no drowsiness. We recommend cetirizine for initial treatment.

New research has shown that masks aren't just a helpful way to protect yourself from COVID-19 and other infections. They can also help reduce allergies by blocking allergen particles. You might see benefits from wearing masks if you have pollen, mold, dust, pet, and other allergies.

Tree allergies are a common cause of hay fever symptoms, especially in the early spring. Birch, cedar, and oak trees are the most likely to cause hay fever, but other trees that rely on the wind to spread their pollen around can also contribute.

Excessive moisture around your home exterior

Mold on your siding thrives when the ground adjacent to your home is constantly wet.

Other Factors. Other factors that can contribute to slime mold growth on grass include overwatering, poor drainage, and lack of sunlight. Slime mold is less likely to do long-term damage to your lawn than other lawn diseases like rust, but it can cause yellowing of grass blades and unsightly masses on the lawn.

Hot, humid climates can contain all the factors needed for mold growth. The humid moisture in the air is one of the biggest contributors to mold. Mold spores also reproduce quickly in this climate.

The two most commonly occurring outdoor molds area Alternaria and Cladosporium. These mold spores are measurable in the spring months and peak in the fall.