The National Weather Service reports that this winter was the warmest on record for the region since 1952
Tree pollen season is about to begin due to warm winter weather
Spring is here and with it comes the start of tree pollen season. According to Dr. Bob Gorby, a doctor at Westmoreland Allergy and Asthma Associates in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, his home's backyard has started to bud which indicates that tree pollen season is about to begin.
The National Weather Service Pittsburgh reports this winter has been the warmest on record for the region since 1952. This warmer than average weather contributes to an earlier than expected tree pollen season.
Tree pollen levels are expected to be worse than average across most of the eastern United States this year
Grass pollen levels in 2024 are expected to be below average in most of New Jersey and most of the Atlantic seaboard.
Pollen levels from ragweed and other summer weeds are expected to be higher than average across most of the eastern United States this year.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that tree pollen levels will be worse than average across most of the eastern United States this year. However, they do not provide any evidence to support this claim and it contradicts their own statement later in the article that grass pollen levels are expected to be below average in most of New Jersey and most of the Atlantic seaboard. Secondly, the author claims that trees and plants are budding as much as three weeks ahead of schedule from New Jersey to Colorado, setting the stage for a bad year for allergy sufferers. However, this statement is not supported by any scientific evidence or data provided in the article. Lastly, the author uses sensationalist language such as 'big blast' and 'very high pollen levels during two of the three main phases of allergy season', which could be interpreted as exaggerating or misrepresenting the severity of allergies.
The statement that tree pollen levels will be worse than average across most of the eastern United States this year is not supported by any evidence provided in the article.
The statement that trees and plants are budding as much as three weeks ahead of schedule from New Jersey to Colorado, setting the stage for a bad year for allergy sufferers is not supported by any scientific evidence or data provided in the article.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing AccuWeather as a source for the allergy forecast. However, this does not necessarily mean that their predictions are accurate or reliable. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the potential impact of high pollen levels on allergy sufferers in New Jersey and other eastern states.
AccuWeather is cited as a source for the allergy forecast.
Bias
(50%)
The article is biased towards allergy sufferers and provides information that may be helpful for them. The author uses language such as 'rough year' and 'bad year' to describe the upcoming pollen season which could create a sense of fear in readers who are allergic to pollen.
Tree pollen levels are expected to be worse than average across most of the eastern United States this year, according to forecasters from AccuWeather. Tree pollen is the first major phase of the allergy season.
. Climate change is making allergy seasons longer and more intense in North America.
Tree pollen levels are expected to be worse than average across most of the eastern United States this year, according to forecasters from AccuWeather.
A warmer, earlier spring makes the growing season longer, giving plants more time to grow and release allergy-inducing pollen sooner in spring and later into fall.
Higher levels of carbon dioxide in the air can also boost pollen production in plants, particularly in grasses and ragweed. With continued high rates of CO2 pollution, the U.S. could face up to a 200% increase in pollen production by the end of this century.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(70%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that pollen seasons are getting longer and more intense due to climate change but fails to mention the role of other factors such as deforestation and urbanization which also contribute to this phenomenon. Secondly, the article quotes Dr. William Anderegg stating that warmer temperatures drive more pollen from plants and higher pollen levels will mean more intense allergies and asthma without providing any evidence or citation for his claim. Thirdly, the article uses sensationalism by describing severe symptoms of allergies such as anaphylactic shock which can be life-threatening but fails to provide context on how common these reactions are.
The article states that pollen seasons are getting longer and more intense due to climate change without mentioning other factors. This is a lie by omission.
Climate change is making pollen season longer and more intense
The allergy season in the Raleigh-Durham area is now 31 days longer than it was in the early 1970s
Carbon pollution traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to spring warming trends across the U.S.
Around 1 in 5 children suffer from seasonal allergies, according to the CDC.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that climate change is making pollen season longer and more intense without providing any evidence to support this claim. Secondly, the article quotes a researcher who claims that warmer temperatures are causing plants to release allergy-inducing pollen earlier in spring and later into fall but does not provide any data or studies to back up this statement. Thirdly, the article states that continued high rates of CO2 pollution could result in a 200% increase in pollen production by the end of this century without providing any evidence to support this claim.
The sentence 'Continued high rates of CO2 pollution could result in a 200% increase in pollen production by the end of this century' is deceptive because it implies that continued high rates of CO2 pollution are directly responsible for the projected increase in pollen production, but no evidence was provided to support this claim.
The sentence 'Climate change is making pollen season longer and more intense' is deceptive because it implies that climate change is directly responsible for the extended allergy season, but no evidence was provided to support this claim.
The statement 'Warmer temperatures are causing plants to release allergy-inducing pollen earlier in spring and later into fall' is deceptive because it suggests a direct cause-and-effect relationship between warming temperatures and the timing of pollen production, but no evidence was provided to support this claim.
Fallacies
(85%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
WRAL has a conflict of interest on the topic of climate change as they are reporting on NOAA's Applied Climate Information System (ACIS) and carbon pollution. The article also mentions Kaitlyn Trudeau who is known for her misleading claims about vaccines which could be seen as an example of bias.
The article discusses carbon pollution and its effects on allergy season
WRAL reports on NOAA's Applied Climate Information System (ACIS) in the context of climate change
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of climate change as they mention NOAA's Applied Climate Information System (ACIS) and carbon pollution. The article also mentions Kaitlyn Trudeau who is known for her misleading information about vaccines.
Dr. Bob Gorby of Westmoreland Allergy and Asthma Associates in Greensburg notices the tree in his home's backyard starting to bud, indicating it's time for tree pollen season.
The National Weather Service Pittsburgh reports this winter has been the warmest on record for the region since 1952, contributing to an earlier than expected tree pollen season.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article discusses the early arrival of tree pollen season and how it is causing an increase in allergy symptoms. The authors attribute this to a mild winter that allowed for more pollination to occur earlier than usual. They also mention the increasing overlap between seasons which exacerbates symptoms by having multiple allergens present at once.
Dr. Bob Gorby of Westmoreland Allergy and Asthma Associates in Greensburg notices the tree in his home’s backyard starting to bud, he knows it’s tree pollen season.
The annual Pollering has arrived in North Carolina
Spring weather in the state is hard to beat, but along with the deliciously mild temps and low humidity comes that thick yellow dusting that covers everything cars, sidewalks, deck furniture, even our shoes as we walk around outside.
NC tree pollen counts are listed as 'high' right now according to DEQ's Nature Research Center
Typically, DEQ reports its highest counts in Downtown Raleigh between the last week of March and the second week of April
Pollen counts decline later in the day and into the evening, with pollen typically being highest between 5 and 10 a.m.
Overall pollen count ranges from about 1,900 to 3,200 grains per cubic meter over the past seven years
DEQ reports daily updates on its X (formerly Twitter) account @NCPollen: twitter.com/NCpollen and historical information is available at deq.nc.gov
Avoid going outside when pollen counts are highest, typically between 5 and 10 a.m.
Take off shoes when entering home to avoid tracking pollen inside
Rinse day's pollen out of hair by taking a shower at night
Wash pets to prevent bringing in pollen from outside
Accuracy
Tree pollen levels are expected to be worse than average across most of the eastern United States this year
Grass pollen levels in 2024 are expected to be below average in most of New Jersey and most of the Atlantic seaboard.
Pollen counts from ragweed and other summer weeds are expected to be higher than average across most of the eastern United States this year.
Deception
(50%)
The article is misleading in several ways. Firstly, it states that pollen counts are typically the highest between 5 and 10 a.m., but this information is not supported by any scientific evidence or data provided in the article. In fact, according to DEQ's Nature Research Center, peak pollen levels occur around midday (between 9 am and noon). Secondly, it suggests that all yellow dusting on cars and sidewalks is caused by tree pollen when in reality, other factors such as car exhaust or construction work can also contribute. Lastly, the article provides no information about the specific types of trees causing allergies in North Carolina which would be important for readers to know.
The sentence 'Pollen settles on shoes in Raleigh on Thursday, April 8, 2021. Juli Leonard jleonard@newsobserver.com' suggests that all yellow dusting is caused by tree pollen which is not the case.
The statement 'Typically, DEQ’s highest counts in Downtown Raleigh are recorded between the last week of March and the second week of April' is misleading as it implies that pollen levels peak at this time when in reality they occur around midday.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing Dr. Saira Sheikh as a source for information about pollen counts and the best time to be outdoors during peak pollen season. Additionally, the author provides personal experiences with allergies caused by tree pollen in North Carolina, which is not relevant or reliable evidence of any kind.
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing Dr. Saira Sheikh as a source for information about pollen counts and the best time to be outdoors during peak pollen season.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that is biased towards the idea of pollen being harmful and causing allergies. The author states that 'pollen counts are typically highest between 5 and 10 a.m.' which implies that during this time period it would be best to avoid going outside, however they do not provide any evidence or scientific backing for this claim.
The statement 'Pollen counts are typically the highest between 5 and 10 a.m' is biased towards the idea of pollen being harmful and causing allergies.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the annual pollen season in North Carolina and provides information on how to cope with allergies. The authors have a financial interest in reporting on this topic as they work for the News & Observer, which is owned by McClatchy Newspapers Partners LLC.
Dr Saira Sheikh of the UNC Division of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology
The article discusses the annual pollen season in North Carolina and provides information on how to cope with allergies. The authors have a financial interest in reporting on this topic as they work for the News & Observer, which is owned by McClatchy Newspapers Partners LLC.
The Pollening
UNC Pediatric Allergy & Immunology
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest with the topic of pollen counts and allergy relief as they are reporting on information from DEQ's website which is their employer.
Dr Saira Sheikh of the UNC Division of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology
