Pollen Levels Near Peak in Aranjuez

The Community of Madrid warned on May 21 that pollen levels for grasses and olive trees were running high across much of the region, with Aranjuez among the municipalities flagged for allergy risk. A regional bulletin cited elevated atmospheric concentrations through Friday, according to reporting by 20minutos based on the public health update. The warning covered both towns around Madrid and several districts inside the capital. Health authorities told allergy sufferers to follow prescribed treatment and reduce exposure where possible. ### Which places were put on alert around Aranjuez? Aranjuez was listed among the areas with high grass pollen on Thursday and Friday, alongside Alcalá de Henares, Alcobendas, Coslada, Getafe and Las Rozas, as well as the Madrid districts of Arganzuela, Salamanca and Ciudad Universitaria. Collado Villalba was the only monitored area cited with a medium reading for grasses rather than high. (20minutos.es) Olive pollen was also elevated in Aranjuez. The Community of Madrid said high olive pollen was expected on Thursday and Friday in Alcalá de Henares, Alcobendas, Aranjuez, Getafe, Arganzuela and Salamanca, while Coslada was at medium risk and Collado Villalba, Las Rozas and Ciudad Universitaria were low. (20minutos.es) ### How close are levels to the seasonal peak? Nine of the region’s 10 pollen collectors were in the red for grasses, according to the regional bulletin cited by 20minutos on May 21. Six of the monitoring points also recorded elevated olive pollen. The same report said the high concentrations were expected to persist through Friday. (consalud.es) The Community of Madrid classifies pollen conditions in three bands — high in red, medium in yellow and low in green — using data from the Palinocam monitoring network. That network operates 10 collectors across the region, including one in Aranjuez and three in Madrid city. (20minutos.es) ### What is Palinocam measuring in Aranjuez? Aranjuez has its own aerobiological station within the Palinocam network, according to the Community of Madrid. The regional government says the Aranjuez station is located in an urban setting at 503 meters altitude, with the collector installed 12 meters above ground, and that the station depends on the city council. (20minutos.es) The Community of Madrid says the collectors are designed to absorb air in proportions similar to human breathing. Pollen grains are trapped on adhesive tape and then analyzed to estimate concentrations and produce forecasts. ### What are officials telling allergy sufferers to do now? (comunidad.madrid) The Community of Madrid said people with pollen allergies should adopt preventive measures and follow treatment prescribed by their doctor. Its public guidance also recommends frequent cleaning of hands and face, washing mucous membranes with fresh water, and avoiding direct exposure to pollen-producing plants. (20minutos.es) Health guidance published with the alert also advises keeping car windows closed, using sunglasses or masks to reduce contact with mucous membranes, and using air filters in homes or vehicles. Those recommendations were repeated in health coverage of the regional warning on May 21. (comunidad.madrid) ### Where can residents check what happens next? The Community of Madrid said its 2026 daily pollen information campaign is active from January 15 through June 30. The regional health website updates pollen information daily during the main season from January to June, while observed values for each collector are updated on Tuesdays with data from the previous week. (consalud.es) The same website says residents can subscribe to receive pollen forecasts and level alerts by SMS or email. For Aranjuez residents and other allergy sufferers in the region, the next official updates will continue to appear through June 30 on the Community of Madrid’s pollen service page. (comunidad.madrid)