Multi-point analysis of airborne Japanese cedar ( Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) pollen by Pollen Robo and the relationship between pollen count and the severity of symptoms

In this study, we addressed Pollen Robo. First, we examined whether Pollen Robo can accurately countC. japonica pollen and found that Pollen Robo was useful during the major pollen season. However, it sometimes counts non-pollen particles and other pollen rather thanC. japonica pollen. Therefore, it is not useful when a small amount of pollen is dispersed such as the start day of the pollen season. Next, we examined the daily dispersion ofC. japonica pollen and it was shown that it is related to the distance between sampling locations. However, factors other than distance may be involved. Another matter of concern is the relationship between the number of airborne pollen and pollinosis symptoms. Symptoms began to appear from approximately the start day of the pollen season in moderate and light cases. The most serious symptoms occurred when the pollen count was the highest. Meanwhile, in severe cases, symptoms were observed at the time the pollen was scarcely detected and plateaued when the pollen count reached 100  counts/m3 on average over 6  days. Thus, Pollen Robo was not useful when symptoms began in severe cases. This problem was solved using pollen antigen measurement. The time for the symptoms to begin in severe cases is between 2 and 4 weeks before the start day of the pollen season. The amount of Cry j 1 on the start day durin g some years was considerably larger than that calculated from the number of pollen. The results obtained in this study will be the basic ...
Source: Aerobiologia - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research