“The most difficult period for allergy sufferers” - what is happening with the air in Almaty

Tengrinews.kz — Recently, Almaty residents have been reporting severe allergy symptoms, including sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, and swelling. Some city dwellers note that standard antihistamines are proving less effective than usual, while their overall discomfort has intensified. A Tengrinews correspondent investigated the potential causes behind this surge.
Wormwood pollen levels surge 2.6-fold
We reached out for comment to Kazakhstani scientist and professor Kaysar Tabynov, who conducts weekly pollen monitoring at the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University.
According to him, the situation in Almaty is currently critical. It is driven by the peak pollination phase of wormwood, high concentrations of ragweed, and another significant pollen allergen.
Almaty residents complain about allergies. Screenshots: Threads
Monitoring data from August 17 to 23 confirms these observations, he noted.
According to the scientist, the peak occurred on Friday, August 21. On that day, the concentration of wormwood pollen reached 638 grains per cubic meter.
Note:The term "grains per cubic meter" refers to the concentration of pollen grains in one cubic meter of air. A level of 638 grains represents an extremely high concentration. For individuals with pollen allergies, this can trigger symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy or watery eyes. Readings below 10 grains are considered low.

"This is an absolute record for the season, nearly three times higher than the critical threshold of 200 grains per cubic meter. That same day, ragweed concentrations remained high at 91 grains per cubic meter. An additional 83 grains per cubic meter were attributed to the Amaranthaceae family, including goosefoot (lamb's quarters)."

Note:Amaranthaceae (formerly Chenopodiaceae) is a group of plants that includes species such as goosefoot, pigweed, and saltbush. This group is particularly common in Kazakhstan, as many of its members thrive in dry climates and saline soils.
According to Tabynov, goosefoot is the second most significant pollen allergen in the country after wormwood.

"This is essentially the main reason why allergy sufferers are struggling so much right now: the air contains pollen from three major weed allergens blooming simultaneously," the professor noted.

The weekly average concentration for wormwood was 269 grains per cubic meter, and 83 for ragweed. These two plants accounted for 81 percent of all recorded pollen in the city's air throughout the week. When combined with the Amaranthaceae family, that figure reached 92 percent.
The scientist warned Almaty residents that approximately 80 percent of the daily pollen load occurs between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Pollen concentrations are highest during these hours.
Ragweed levels up by 84 percent
Over the past week, the pollen load has not subsided; on the contrary, it has grown significantly, the professor stated.

"The total weekly load for wormwood increased by 263 percent compared to the previous week—rising from 518 to 1,880 grains per cubic meter over the seven-day period. Ragweed saw an 84 percent increase, from 317 to 583 grains," our speaker emphasized.

However, levels fluctuated wildly within the week. Following the record 638 grains of wormwood on Friday, concentrations plummeted to 73 grains by Sunday. The weekly low for ragweed was 18 grains.
Consequently, allergy sufferers may have felt slight relief on Sunday, but the scientist believes this does not yet indicate that the pollen season is winding down.
High concentrations to persist: When will the allergies end?
According to the expert, active pollination of wormwood and ragweed in Almaty typically lasts through August and covers most of September. Concentrations can spike again sharply during dry and windy weather.
Tabynov notes that a significant and sustained decrease in pollen load usually only begins with a drop in temperature and the first autumn rains or frosts. Typically, this does not occur before late September or October.

"In all likelihood, high levels will persist for several more weeks," he added.

Left to right: Wormwood and ragweed pollen, 20-30 micrometers in size, under a microscope. Photo: Kaysar Tabynov
Despite complaints from some Almaty residents that symptoms were more manageable last year and that standard medications are less effective, Kaysar Tabynov noted that it is too early to label this season the most severe.

"Last year we recorded even higher concentrations of wormwood pollen. Later in September, we averaged over 1,000 grains per cubic meter. So, while this August has been intense for wormwood, it isn't necessarily a record compared to the season as a whole," he observed.

How roadwork in Almaty affects health
Notably, some residents attribute the worsening of their allergies to the large volume of road and construction work currently taking place across the city.

"Construction across Almaty combined with seasonal grasses is quite the combo. My eyes start itching in the morning, and I’m sneezing constantly," writes one local resident.

We asked Kaisar Tabynov whether road and construction work can exacerbate allergy symptoms.
According to the scientist, construction should not be directly linked to an increase in pollen allergies. However, the condition of the land following construction work does matter.
When workers disturb the topsoil, it creates open areas such as roadsides, vacant lots, and sites with exposed earth. These locations are ideal for certain weeds, including ragweed.
Much depends on how these areas are restored after renovation and whether they are properly maintained.

"The high-quality completion of urban projects, landscaping, greening, the establishment of stable vegetation cover, and subsequent maintenance are precisely what reduce the areas where weeds can spread uncontrollably."

Tabynov believes that in the future, pollen monitoring data, information on the spread of weeds, and urban landscaping could complement each other. This would eventually allow for urban planning that not only improves the city's appearance but also accounts for factors affecting air quality and public health.