Cedar pollen hits Central Texas air

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Allergy and Asthma Associates reported 22 grains per cubic meter of cedar pollen in Austin Monday. This is a low level, but shows that cedar trees have started their pollination process. Unfortunately, many area residents have cedar allergies.

This all means Monday starts at least a month period where these allergy sufferers have to tackle the cedar pollen. Peak counts will not show up until the middle of January, where reports will come forward showing 10,000 grains per cubic meter.

"The last few weeks we've had people coming in with mild allergy symptoms," said allergist Bill Howland. "Cedar trees are the heaviest pollinating plants in the world, so when they release their pollen in the air, it can't get any worse than it does in Central Texas.