Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York, the main cities of Central Pennsylvania, took the number one position in a survey by The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Of course, living in Lancaster, I am thrilled to death with this National Honor.
The entire list:
1. Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York, PA
2. Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville, NC
3. Louisville, KY
5. Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, MI
6. Memphis, TN
7. Oklahoma, OK
8. Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX
9. Kansas City, MO
10. St. Louis, MO
I am an allergy sufferer. And, apperantly we got position #9 a few months ago for the spring list. Apperantly central PA is a bad place to live if you are prone to the sniffles and sneezes and itchy eyes (oh the itchy eyes are the worst!) like I am.
The AAFA took quite a number of things when compiling these lists. According to Lancaster's local daily, the Intelligencer Journal (Sept. 9, 2003), "The average recorded pollen levels from the past seven years, the length of the peak season for the most offensive pollen types, the number of antihistamine prescriptions written in the last year to treat allergy symptoms, and the number of board-certified allergists in the area."
Thankfully, my allergies tend to be most severe during the spring time, when I notice our #9 ranking for that season. Sure, I've been sneezing some lately, but I don't think fall is a prime time for me. However, now that I've mentioned it my luck will swing and I'll instead be wanting to gouge my eyes out. Lucky me.
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
uh...congratulations...
2 - TDavid
My wife has terrible allergies. Guess I know where we won't ever be moving to, thanks for the tip :)
3 - The Theory
*achooo!*
4 - Eric Olsen
Home of the Ocean Blue, is it not?
5 - Eric Olsen
I have all kinds of allergies but over the years I have learned to combat them. On a daily basis I take 4 generic psuedofeds (morning), 2 antihistamines (night), and use two different sprays - Flonase and Nasalcrom. This usually works.
6 - The Theory
Good lord, man... you're like one big, walking anti-allergy!
7 - Eric Olsen
yes, if I come in contact with allergens we both are flung into another dimension
8 - Jim Carruthers
So, if I was to put Jake Gyllenhaal's costume from Bubble Boy up on eBay, I could expect a bid?
Or are you going for the John Travolta model?
9 - Eric Olsen
no need, I actively repel allergens with my regimen of pills and potions and juju
10 - andy
I've noticed that The Theory hasn't been as sickly as I am right now haha. I do remember him complaining about headaches in the spring/early summer though. I'm a wreck right now. As a kid, I never had allergies, but now I get torn a new one. Lancaster's absolutely beautiful, but this flat out sucks. I feel drained right now. Maybe I should drug myself like Eric.
11 - Eric Olsen
the word is "medicate"
12 - andy
Really? But I need DRUGS.
13 - Jim Carruthers
I thought so, you're all hopped up on goofballs.
"But officer, it's for my allergies"
14 - The Theory
well, there is a reason that on the side of the bottles it says "do not drive or opperate heavy machinery while taking medication"
15 - Jim Carruthers
So it's okay to use a chainsaw, weedwacker or driving mower.
"But officer, I was just getting payback against the weeds that cause my allergies. I didn't mean to run amok".