Using Copernicus data to manage allergies

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) provides daily forecasts of pollen levels during the critical season for three types of allergic pollens: birch, olive and grass pollen. Forecasts are available on the CAMS website throughout the pollen season.

Allergic rhinitis affects between 10% and 30% of the population worldwide. It causes cold-like signs and symptoms from a runny nose and itchy eyes to congestion and sinus pressure. However, unlike a cold, hay fever isn’t caused by a virus. Hay fever is caused by an allergic response to allergens, such as pollen. Reliable forecasts provided by CAMS are extremely important to help those affected to be more efficient in the management of their hay fever, for example by taking a preventative medication appropriately, as opposed to relying on a treatment of the symptoms after they have already appeared

CAMS provides model forecasts of the pollen levels during the season. During the hay fever season, pollen forecasts are easily accessible through the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service website. Users can select the product (birch, olive or grass pollen forecasts) from the drop-down list of pollutants and allergens. The forecasts are available during a specific time period depending on the type of pollen (the data is seasonal by nature). Outside of these periods, the concentrations of these pollens are zero or very small and forecasts are thus not useful.

As about a quarter of the European population suffers from hay fever symptoms: it is undoubtful that developing accurate symptoms forecasts that enable to optimize medication can have a major impact by bringing timely, accurate and personalized information, and thus relief, to millions of Europeans.

Find out more about the CAMS's forecasts of pollen levels here.