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Anonymous
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A MENACING cloud of acidic birch pollen – which eats into the paintwork of cars – is blowing towards Britain from Europe.
Millions of cars could be affected at the end of the week when the pollen reaches the UK.
To compound the misery, hay fever sufferers are being warned of a “nightmare scenario” of the cloud arriving at the same time as pollen levels are rising in Britain.
The birch pollen cloud has already hit Germany, where authorities have warned motorists to immediately wash it off their cars – or risk damage that could result in owners having to fork out for a full respray.
Though birch pollen from British trees is currently in peak season, levels have remained moderate and are therefore not posing such a problem. However, the Met Office has predicted that winds from Europe will head towards the UK tomorrow and Friday.
Karl-Heinz Nottrodt, a pollen specialist at the German Meteorology Institute said: “There is a heavy cloud of pollen making its way from Eastern Europe.
“It is now hitting Germany hard and will continue towards France and the UK over the next few days.
“The extreme dry, warm weather has also meant that a lot of the pollen could not be washed away as is normal at this time of year.”
Birch tree pollen is a main cause of hay fever, triggering allergic reactions in around a quarter of sufferers. Allergy sufferers are being warned to prepare for the increase in pollen levels.
Jonathan Powell, of Positive Weather Solutions, said: “It’s the pollen season now and levels are already particularly high.
“To have birch pollen blowing in from the continent as well is a nightmare scenario.”
An AA spokesman warned drivers who suffer from the allergy to prepare for the high levels of pollen in the next few days.
He said: “The biggest concern is for hay fever sufferers. Suffering a reaction can impair your driving.
“But if you are going to get treatment, make sure you tell whoever is prescribing it whether or not you’re going to be driving a car.”
In Germany, car paint specialist Klaus Herdemertens has been dealing with cars already damaged by the birch pollen. He said: “If the pollen is left on the car, it can burn through the paintwork.
It could end up costing motorists hundreds of pounds each to have their vehicles resprayed
“The pollen is very abrasive and also slightly acidic. If left, over time it will damage painted surfaces.
“The car should be washed thoroughly and not just wiped, otherwise the pollen will stick to the car.” :roll:
Millions of cars could be affected at the end of the week when the pollen reaches the UK.
To compound the misery, hay fever sufferers are being warned of a “nightmare scenario” of the cloud arriving at the same time as pollen levels are rising in Britain.
The birch pollen cloud has already hit Germany, where authorities have warned motorists to immediately wash it off their cars – or risk damage that could result in owners having to fork out for a full respray.
Though birch pollen from British trees is currently in peak season, levels have remained moderate and are therefore not posing such a problem. However, the Met Office has predicted that winds from Europe will head towards the UK tomorrow and Friday.
Karl-Heinz Nottrodt, a pollen specialist at the German Meteorology Institute said: “There is a heavy cloud of pollen making its way from Eastern Europe.
“It is now hitting Germany hard and will continue towards France and the UK over the next few days.
“The extreme dry, warm weather has also meant that a lot of the pollen could not be washed away as is normal at this time of year.”
Birch tree pollen is a main cause of hay fever, triggering allergic reactions in around a quarter of sufferers. Allergy sufferers are being warned to prepare for the increase in pollen levels.
Jonathan Powell, of Positive Weather Solutions, said: “It’s the pollen season now and levels are already particularly high.
“To have birch pollen blowing in from the continent as well is a nightmare scenario.”
An AA spokesman warned drivers who suffer from the allergy to prepare for the high levels of pollen in the next few days.
He said: “The biggest concern is for hay fever sufferers. Suffering a reaction can impair your driving.
“But if you are going to get treatment, make sure you tell whoever is prescribing it whether or not you’re going to be driving a car.”
In Germany, car paint specialist Klaus Herdemertens has been dealing with cars already damaged by the birch pollen. He said: “If the pollen is left on the car, it can burn through the paintwork.
It could end up costing motorists hundreds of pounds each to have their vehicles resprayed
“The pollen is very abrasive and also slightly acidic. If left, over time it will damage painted surfaces.
“The car should be washed thoroughly and not just wiped, otherwise the pollen will stick to the car.” :roll:
