The fluff itself is unlikely to cause allergies, but since the coming of the fluff also coincides with the beginning of Canberra's peak hay fever season, sufferers might already be experiencing the sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose from microscopic pollen also floating in the air.

Fluff from the deciduous white poplar is already banked up high in some spots around Canberra, the sight no doubt fraying the nerves of local university students who labour under an adage that says they might be in trouble if they haven't started studying when the fluff starts to fall.