Significance of sampling height of airborne particles for aerobiological information

Abstract

Pollen and spore counts from Burkard traps for routine pollen and spore sampling placed at 15 m above ground and at ground level were compared. Daily counts of most pollen types were higher on the ground than at roof level, but the counts were significantly correlated. The ratios of pollen frequencies at high and low levels varied between 1.0 and 11.5. The most prominent differences were recorded for herbaceous pollen (e.g. Artemisia counts 11.5 and Poaccae counts 4.4 times higher at ground level) and in Botrytis and Ustilaginales spores. Tree pollen grains and basidiomycetous spores were more equally distributed. Wind speed did not affect the variation of pollen frequencies at either height. Large spores are not so unevenly distributed as previously supposed. Artemisia and grass pollen was detected 1 to 2 weeks earlier at ground level than on the roof. It is therefore concluded that especially the beginning of flowering should be monitored at a low level.

Defining pollen exposure times for clinical trials of allergen immunotherapy for pollen‐induced rhinoconjunctivitis – an EAACI position paper

“…The pollen concentrations were well-correlated, but generally higher at ground compared to rooftop level, especially for grasses and herbs. The presence of local plants can influence the ground-level pollen concentrations (40)(41)(42). Artemisia and grass pollen were detected 1-2 weeks earlier at ground level than on the roof (42).…”

Three-Year Follow-Up Study of Allergen-Induced in vitro Cytokine and Signalling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule mRNA Responses in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Allergic Rhinitis Patients Undergoing Specific Immunotherapy

“…Pollen counts were expressed as the number of pollen grains per cubic meter of air and the mean seasonal count was used as a representative value for the season. A high sampling site is representative for pollen types with a high source, for instance birch trees, but grass pollen counts are often underestimated, because their source is at a low level and most pollen grains settle close to the source area (counts 4.4 times higher at the ground level than on the roof) [36]. …”

Relation between Poaceae pollen concentrations and meteorological factors during 2000–2010 in Timisoara, Romania

“…In areas of high air pollution, the allergy threshold pollen value is 30 APG/m 3 , while in areas of low air pollution it is 71 APG/m 3 [60]. In big and highly industrialized cities, grass pollens are the major allergens, while in other areas they are the minor allergens.…”

“…In Cardiff (UK), 10% of pollinosis patients experienced symptoms in the presence of 10 APG/ m 3 . In Turku (Finland), a count of less than 30 APG/m 3 was significantly correlated with nasal symptoms at the start of the Poaceae-pollen season [60]. In Poland, people sensitive to Poaceae pollen developed the first disease symptoms when exposed to more than 20 APG/m 3 [61].…”