national

Cedar pollen begins spreading in Tokyo area

22 Comments

The Environment Ministry said Saturday that Japanese cedar pollen has begun spreading in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

According to officials, the pollen has begun scattering into the air five days earlier than average for the first time in 10 years and concentration levels appear to be nearly twice as high as last year, TBS reported.

As pollen levels will be particularly high on dry, windy days, experts are urging people who suffer from hay fever to wear protective masks and or hats, and to hang their clothes to dry inside their homes in order to reduce the overall amount of contact they have with the airborne allergens.

The annual release of tree pollen, which causes hay fever in an estimated 25 million people in Japan, is carefully monitored each year.

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22 Comments
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Truly a sad situation for those who are affected by the pollen. Believe it or not, this is a problem created by the Japanese government. The areas where the cedar trees were planted were done so in an effort to quickly reforest the areas without any thought being given to the pollen. Those trees were typically found in such large concentrations and when planted together as they are, the problem with pollen starts.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Don't tackle the issue - or any, for that matter - upstream. It's far too unprofitable.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

@Yubaru

That's only half of the story. These species have been promoted for a long time by the forestry industry in Japan because they are quick growing and low maintenance. The fact that the wood they produce isn't that good is neither here nor there. There is also the issue of responding to the "pollen problem". The fact is that certain agricultural research stations in Japan have developed new sub-species that yield much lower pollen counts. However, implementing these modified species has hit two major roadblocks. Firstly, the forestry bureau of MAFF doesn't have to money to implement/encourage massive re-plantings of the national timber stocks. Secondly, a number of low-brow conservationists (whose opinions are not based on science) have come out in opposition to these new species. You also have other vested interests (doctors, etc.) who are quite happy to see 25 million people suffer every year.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

JoeintokyoFEB. "It's not actually cedar: it's cryptomeria." Actually - Cryptomeria japonica which is Japanese Cedar!

I've succeeded will dealing with the allergy by putting just a dab of the essential oil on the inside of my wrist daily to build up immunity. Doing this about 2 months prior gives even better results!

Other natural remedies are: Gargling with turmeric: Gargling with turmeric is very helpful in healing sinus infections. Turmeric contains curcumin which helps heal the sinus cavity. Turmeric possesses an anti-inflammatory action.

Garlic Inhalation. Garlic is a very powerful natural antibiotic. It possesses antiviral and anti-fungal properties. Add 3 cloves of minced fresh garlic to a pot of boiled water. Cover your head with a towel over the pot and begin inhaling.

See others at: http://www.thedogsbreaky.com/2015/02/10-natural-remedies-for-sinus-infections.html

1 ( +3 / -2 )

On the good side: I think I shall never see anything as lovely as a tree. They are our friends. Granted though these fellas are like the drunk frat friend in college. Annoying but still a friend.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

@ed

I'm glad you managed to beat your allergies. It's still not a cedar though.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Another upside is the intrigue about how beautifully dressed Japanese ladies may look without that mask.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I have no problems with the pollen, but it is depressing seeing so many areas that have planted these stupid trees & virtually never planting anything else, there are plantations NOT forests, they are pretty much devoid of life other than few birds passing through, their fallen branches etc make it so very little undergrowth exist, soil erosion, landslides.

But hey they do grow straight & lots of people think those straight standing masses of monoculture look pretty.............I think they look pretty depressing.

But nothing much will be done, carry on now & gaman all!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

You also have other vested interests (doctors, etc.) who are quite happy to see 25 million people suffer every year.

I know. In my next life I'm marrying an ENT specialist.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I am an asthmatic and this season is terrible. However I started using a nasal screen for house dust and have stopped using asthma medication on a daily basis and only need it for attacks.

They are available at <>www.filteryourlife.jp<> I am surprised they are not more readily available.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

False. Monkeys get pollen allergies.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Having a 1/5 of a population with such issue shows in particular how far from nature they live. I was allergic to pollen (not to cedar fortunately so far) for some cultures (wheat, barley, colza...) but with age is disapearring. Discomfort but not going to die because of that... And the technic to NOT TO AVOID it is the best possible. So wearing a mask will make you force yourself to wear one for the rest of your life. Japanese are so complaining altogether about issue they created themselves...too bad.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Kill all the male trees. Keep some far away from weakened city dwellers for seed production.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

My wife got into using organic cosmetics a few years ago and her allergies nowadays are a lot lighter than they used to be. Of course it's not given what caused it though

0 ( +0 / -0 )

People are easily susceptible to these allergies because their immune systems are weakened by toxins in food and "healthcare" and "beauty" products.

I've never used either a "beauty" or a beauty product in my life but I have these allergies.

It has nothing to with holistic "toxin" mumbo-jumbo.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

According to officials, the pollen has begun scattering into the air five days earlier than average for the first time in 10 years and concentration levels appear to be nearly twice as high as last year, TBS reported.

Well, twice as many sufferers sneezing on the trains then

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

They STILL haven't cut down those nasty trees?! What are they waiting for? Cut 'em down already!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I've never used either a "beauty" or a beauty product in my life but I have these allergies.

You never use soap or shampoo?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

You never use soap or shampoo?

You really think kafun allergies are linked to soap/shampoo usage? That's.... not accurate.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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