An overnight dump of what was likely pollen in 91原创 caused a brief flurry of comments and speculation on social media Tuesday morning.
One commenter said the dust was thick enough to draw pictures, while another wondered who was spraying what in their neighbourhood and still another posted a Game Of Thrones meme that said 鈥淧ollen is coming.鈥�
June Fancello, who lives in the told the Times she thought it might be frost when she got up and first saw it on her car.
When she realized it was something else, she noticed that virtually every car on the street was visibly covered.
She ran her vehicle through a car wash, and a few hours later, saw that more powder had landed.
鈥淢y car was clean last night,鈥� she said.
Fancelleo, who has asthma and seasonal allergies, said the dust wasn鈥檛 creating serious health problems for her, though she has been sneezing more than usual and getting a 鈥渓ittle winded鈥� on the stairs of her home.
As she was talking to the Times, a bird took off from a nearby tree, causing a puff of dust.
There were still several cars covered with the powder parked on the street.
Another resident of the area, Linda (who declined to give her last name), was sure it was pollen released by the neighbourhood cedar trees after a few days of warm, dry weather.
鈥淚t happens yearly,鈥� Linda said.
An online pollen count for 91原创 posted by the Weather Network said a 鈥渕oderate鈥� amount of pollen was expected from cedar and juniper trees over the next three days.
Juniper and cedar pollen starts causing problems in late February or March, lasting until April or May.
The pollen can travel as far as 200 km from the originating trees depending on the wind, causing symptoms that may include sneezing, a runny or clogged nose, coughing and postnasal drip, itching eyes, nose, and throat.
They can also cause 鈥渁llergic shiners鈥� which are dark circles under the eyes caused by increased blood flow near the sinuses.
The powder has been reported in at least one other area, near 199 Street and 50 Avenue, according to City of 91原创 staff, who said the municipality wasn鈥檛 carrying out spraying that night.
There was some speculation the powder might be the result of a major fire somewhere in Metro Vancouver, but that could not be confirmed.
dan.ferguson@langleytimes.com
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