Technician
Arth Pandya Staff Writer
Like a dusting of snow, tree pollen has covered much of North Carolina this week after a quick transition from winter into a warm spring. Pollen levels in North Carolina reached record highs this week, with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Air Quality Division recording the highest concentrations since air quality agencies started measuring pollen in the late 1990s. The agency measured a sample
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Raleigh, North Carolina
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Wednesday’s Raleigh pollen level, 3,524 grains per cubic meter set an area record
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that had 3,524 pollen grains per cubic meter at its Raleigh office Wednesday and an even higher sample in Winston-Salem, where Tuesday’s count reached 9,632 grains per cubic meter. According to a press release from the DENR, Wednesday’s pollen count was the highest ever recorded in Raleigh. The previous record was set March 27, 2007, when pollen levels reached 2,925. According to John King, associate professor of tree physiology, pollen usually reaches its peak during late March and early April. According to the DENR, peak pollen levels historically fall between 1,000 and 1,500 grains per cubic meter in the Raleigh area. King added that the cause of
record pollen levels has been the sudden change in weather. However, because of the frigid winter, King said some species of trees weren’t able to flower, resulting in more tree species flowering at the same time. “There has been an abrupt transition from a cool wet winter to a warm, dry spring,” King said. Dustin Franklin, senior in mechanical engineering, said the amount of pollen in the air is comparable to “a light snowfall.” “It’s much more intense than I expected. It’s not friendly out there,” he said. Jerry Sharp, a freshman in computer science, said he has never seen anything like this. “I’ve never seen anything like the yellow brick road we have
everywhere,” he said. However, King said he believes the pollen levels have hit their highest point for this season. “The pine pollen has peaked. It should start declining from here on out,” he said. Rain should lower the pollen levels to normal levels, according to King. According to the DENR, people who are bothered by allergies should stay indoors, especially during early morning hours and windy weather, until pollen levels subside. Though rains may wash away most of the accumulated pollen — especially with heavy thunderstorms expected in Raleigh throughout Thursday night, according to NOAA — King said he has a word of advice for those
pollen levels: Average Raleigh peak: 1,000 to 1,500 grains per cubic meter Previous Raleigh record: 2,925 grains per cubic meter (March 27, 2007) Wednesday’s Raleigh reading: 3,524 grains per cubic meter Tuesday’s Winston-Salem reading: 9,632 grains per cubic meter Source: N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Air Quality Division
wanting to wash their cars this weekend. “Wait another week,” King said.
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hitting the ground running
Health care bill to reform student coverage Overhaul carries changes for college students
Health care bill facts:
Arth Pandya
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Staff Writer
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The new health insurance legislation, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, will allow college students to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans until they are 26 years old. With unemployment rates at nearly 15 percent in some areas and a weak job market, the plan will help college graduates who can’t find employment and cannot afford expensive health care premiums, according to Jerry Barker, director of Student Health Services. “At the moment, a lot of insurance companies remove students once they graduate,” he said. According to Barker, in roughly six months, students up to the age of 26 will be eligible for coverage under their parents’ insurance if the insurance provides dependent coverage. Brittany Vliek, sophomore in criminology, said she was relieved when she found out about the new provision. “I think it’s great because I was defi-
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Age adjustment for dependent coverage Bans insurance companies from denying coverage to patients with pre-existing conditions Provides subsidies to those who make less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level Mandates almost all Americans must purchase health insurance Source: H.R. 3962
nitely concerned with being covered by my parents’ plan,” she said. “It’s great that it extends that far,” she said. John Harper, junior in biological sciences, agreed. “It provides a sense of security once I graduate,” she said. “Especially with troubles right now in getting a job.” Though it does benefit students, Harper said it doesn’t make the bill ideal for everyone. “There are still aspects of the bill I disagree with,” he said. In addition to the age adjustment
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Members of the Army ROTC unload from Blackhawk helicopters after landing in a field off of Western Boulevard during an aviation lab Thursday. The cadets were flown from Wake Tech Community College for a simulated mission. The exercise was meant to present cadets with leadership situations and to develop teamwork while also exposing them to helicopter operations.
Sigma Nu to host first annual philanthropy event Recently established fraternity will sponsor a kickball tournament to raise money for cancer Joanna Banegas Staff Writer
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Metal foam impacts biomedical field See page 5.
Wolfpack primed to take on rival Heels See page 8.
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NC STATE BOOKSTORES
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Sigma Nu will host its first annual Kick Ball-Cancer tournament to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation this Saturday at the Miller IM Fields. Andreas Antono, junior in biological sciences and a member of Sigma Nu, said all of the proceeds will be donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. “His foundation raises money for cancer research and also helps out cancer patients that have been treated or still live with it,” Antono said. The teams participating in the kickball tournament consist of students from the Greek community, campus organizations and the University. Kellen Osburn, junior in civil
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engineering and community service campus and get the word out about chairman of Sigma Nu, said the fra- what the Greek community is doing. “A lot of people have this negative ternity wants to raise more awareness about cancer research and patients by image of Greeks,” Antono said. “You getting people involved in a kickball tell somebody you’re part of a fraternity and they autournament. tomatically judge “Our goal is you about someto incorporate thing. We just reGreeks and nonally want people Greeks to particito see that we’re pate in the tournot just about nament,” Osburn parties. There are said. a lot of aspects to Osburn sa id Greek life and the Greek comthis is a way we munity and the can get the word rest of the stuout.” dent body tend Osburn said in to be more segreorder to create gated from each Kellen Osburn, junior in civil the event, Sigma other. engineering Nu was spon“Most of the sored by Campus time Greeks don’t get the best reputation,” Osburn Recreation, as well as by other local said. “The kickball tournament will businesses . “They ended up supplying us with be a great way to put the two groups together and show a good image of the the fields and gave us the equipment,” Greek community.” Antono also said they hope to establish an event that involves the whole sigma nu continued page 3
“The kickball tournament will be a great way to put the two groups together and show a good image of the Greek community.”
All proceeds benefit the NC State Student Government Kay Yow Memorial