You have just the remedy to help ease the pain

by Rachel G. Capps

Car wash operators rejoice! March 20^th marked the first day of spring this year and with the interesting weather we’ve had over the past few months, we’re in for an exciting pollen season. Predictions for this spring suggest it will be much warmer and drier than normal. The result is itchy-watery eyes, stuffy noses, sneezing … and plenty of pollen coated cars.

Pollen Count Factors

It’s important to note that there is currently no government system that monitors pollen counts. Therefore, independent companies are left to investigate these fluctuations. Prior to pollen seasons arrival, The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) notes several factors:

• Mild winters can cause trees, plants, and grass to pollinate earlier.
• Excess rainfall during the fall or winter may increase tree pollen counts during the spring time.
• Excess rain and snow also promotes supplementary tree budding and grass growth, which can extend pollen production into early summer.
• Snowstorms toward the end of a winter stretch are known to contribute to a worse allergy season.
• A late season freeze following a mild winter can reduce tree pollen production.
• Windy weather is conducive for spore movement.

There are also daily fluctuations to consider as well:

• Temperature—Cold temperatures delay pollen release.
• Time—Plants flower in the morning so concentrations of airborne pollen are usually highest during 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.
• Wind Conditions—Windy conditions cause greater pollen and mold distributions.
• Humidity—High humidity causes a delay in pollen release.
• Precipitation—Lack of rain causes pollen counts to soar.
• Nature—Pine pollen is very common in places such as Raleigh, N.C., where pine trees grow in abundance. This type of pollen is very sticky.

In general, tree pollen levels tend to peak from late March through most of April. As September comes around, some areas see a rise in ragweed pollen through early October.

Pollen Count Hot Spots

Find out if you are located in a pollen count hot spot. Every year, a list of U.S. cities is compiled by the nonprofit Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). The foundation analyzes each city based on the number of people reporting allergies, the pollen score, allergy medicine usage, and the number of board-certified allergists per patient during the previous year.

In 2009, these were the worst cities for spring allergies:

1. Augusta, Georgia

1. Little Rock, Arkansas

1. Dayton, Ohio

1. Greensboro, North Carolina

1. McAllen, Texas

1. Wichita, Kansas

1. Madison, Wisconsin

1. Charlotte, North Carolina

1. Knoxville, Tennessee

1. Louisville, Kentucky

To find out what your current local pollen count is, visit www.pollen.com and you can select your state and city or enter in your zip code for a detailed four-day forecast. The Web site will also show you a list of that day’s best and worst cities.

Prepare to De-Pollinate

Now that you know what to expect for spring and how to judge your chances of increased volume on a daily basis, prepare to de-pollinate. Remember, between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. you will notice higher concentrations of pollen settling on the cars.

Many car washes feature a spring time car wash policy that invites customers back for a complimentary wash within a 48 hour window. Advise your customers to avoid opening their windows or sunroof during the initial pollen haze.

To achieve additional exposure in your area, try visiting several allergy and physician’s clinics. According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, there were over 12 million physician office visits because of allergic rhinitis in 2006. Allergic rhinitis is when an allergen such as pollen or dust is inhaled and triggers a reaction.

Introducing your car wash services to this much foot-traffic could be a great marketing tool. Explain the benefits of performing a routine car cleaning. Since allergens cling to clothing, skin, hair, upholstery, and carpet, a routine cleansing of their vehicles could help reduce encounters with irritants. Some allergists suggest a cleaning routine twice a week to reduce allergy symptoms. Offer the physician’s office a coupon to give to their patients to promote a more enjoyable driving experience. For a few weeks, your car wash may remind you of a doctor’s waiting room, but you have just the remedy to help ease their pain.

Interesting points you can use as attention grabbers:

• 1. Estimates suggest that allergies affect more than 50 million people in the U.S.
  2. More than half of all U.S. citizens test positive to one or more allergens.

Source: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology

Rachel Capps is in charge of marketing and communications for HOWCO, Inc., a Charlotte-based distributor of car wash equipment, supplies and chemicals and consultants for the car wash industry. For more information visit www.howco.com.