Impact of meteorological parameters and air pollutants on airborne concentration of Betula pollen and Bet v 1 allergen

Abstract

The intensity of birch pollen season is expressed by seasonal pollen integral (SPIn, the sum of the mean daily pollen concentration during the birch pollination period) and the amount of Bet v 1 allergen released per birch pollen grain expressed by pollen allergen potency (PAP). Betula pollen and Bet v 1 allergen were simultaneously measured in the air of Bratislava from 2019 to 2022 by using two Burkard traps (Hirst-type and cyclone) in order to evaluate the causes of the seasonal variation in the SPIn and PAP levels. The highest SPIn (19,975 pollen/m3) was observed in 2022 and the lowest one (1484 pollen/m3) in 2021. The average daily PAP level (4.0 pg Bet v 1/pollen) was highest in 2019 and lowest (2.5 pg Bet v 1/pollen) in 2020. We found that seasonal variation in SPIn was associated mainly with the changes in environmental conditions during the pre-season period, whereas the year-to-year variation in PAP levels was attributed to environmental conditions during both pre- and in-season periods. Our results indicate that rainy weather in June 2020 and cold overcast weather in January‒February 2021 resulted in low SPIn in 2021. On the other hand, dry weather in June 2021 and warm weather in January‒February 2022 resulted in high SPIn in 2022. The low average daily PAP level in 2020 was associated with (1) low levels of gaseous air pollutants in March, when the ripening of pollen takes place; (2) an earlier start of the birch main pollen season (MPS); and (3) dry weather during the MPS. On the other hand, high PAP level in 2019 was associated with higher levels of air pollutants in March and during the MPS.

Long-term pollen season trends of Fraxinus (ash), Quercus (oak) and Ambrosia artemisiifolia (ragweed) as indicators of anthropogenic climate change impact

“…During the course of our study, the intensity of tree pollen seasons, expressed as SPIn, peak value and HD, increased at both localities, although all three characteristics were significant only for oak. Our results agree with the conclusions of Adams-Groom et al ( 2022 ) and Ščevková et al ( 2023 ) that warmer and humid weather in the latter half of the year before pollination stimulates pollen production in woody plants, increasing the intensity of their pollen season.…”

Interaction between Air Pollutants and Pollen Grains: Effects on Public and Occupational Health

“…In fact, as shown in the literature, the urban heat island (UHI) effect may affect levels of chemical air pollutants and be responsible for an increase in allergen content and production. Furthermore, pollen species may be different in urban and rural environments [120,148]. Although there are still few studies regarding occupational allergies in relation to air pollutants, they may have a negative and significant impact on worker's health and quality of life in different categories of workers in many sectors (i.e., construction, agriculture, farming, health care), resulting in economic losses and a high prevalence of allergic respiratory diseases [145,147].…”

“…Some studies have shown that people of many countries living in urban areas are more sensitive to respiratory allergies, and as a consequence, the prevalence of pollinosis is increasing, especially in polluted cities [120][121][122]. Pollen taxa may differ in urban and rural environments [12].…”

Air pollution and rhinitis

“…Studies have also identified associations between seasonal variations in pollen counts and environmental conditions, with factors like air pollutants influencing pollen allergen potency. High levels of air pollutants, particularly during early spring and the pollen season, have been linked to elevated Betula pollen allergen potency ( 53 ).…”

“…Furthermore, the interaction between atmospheric pollution (PM, NO 2 , SO 2 , and O 3 ) and pollen exposure during pollen seasons exacerbates respiratory symptoms in allergic individuals ( 47 , 50 , 52 , 53 ). Specifically, uncontrolled rhinitis symptoms have shown a 25% increase for every interquartile range rise in ozone levels during the grass pollen season ( 51 ).…”