Plane tree pollen season in Poland and Hungary in 2019 – why are the plane trees planted in cities so much?

Allergic diseases are considered as important human health issues as they substantially restrict many allergic people. Trees such as the plane tree can pose a certain threat to allergy sufferers. Due to the frequent planting of these trees in large cities, their pollen can affect the increase in the frequency of local allergy symptoms. This study compares the plane tree pollen seasons in Poland, in Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Warsaw, Zielona Gora, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Opole, Olsztyn, Szczecin and in Hungary, in Budapest, Debrecen, Gyor, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Miskolc, Nyiregyhaza and Pecs in 2019. The investigations were carried out using the volumetric method (Hirst type pollen sampler). Seasonal Pollen Index (SPI) was estimated as the sum of daily average pollen concentrations in the given season. The season ranges from March to May, depending on the geographical latitude. Diagnosis of plane tree pollen allergy is made difficult due to some cross-reactivity with birch, but also alder, hazel, hornbeam, oak, beech, sweet chestnut, and to some extent with grass pollen. In 2019 the pollen season of Platanus started first in Hungary, in Pecs on the April 1st; in Poland the pollen season started in Szczecin and Zielona Gora on the April 4th. At the latest, a pollen season ended in Poland, in Warsaw and Bydgoszcz until May 11th–12th, similarly in Hungary – until May 11th in Budapest and Kaposvar. The differences of pollen seasons duration were very considerable, from 15 to 40 days. Also the differences of the highest airborne concentration especially between both countries were extremely considerable (2105 pollen grains/m3 in Nyíregyháza and 3 pollen grains/m3 in Białystok. The maximum values of seasonal pollen count in Polish cities occurred between April 24th and May 1st, and in Hungarian cities between April 9th and 16th. The highest plane tree pollen allergen hazard occurred in 2019 undoubtedly in Hungary: in Pecs, Kaposvar and Nyiregyhaza, and was ten times higher than in Poland. The highest variability in the analysed seasons was found in the peak value and annual total.

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Ash pollen season in Poland in 2019

Alergoprofil ◽

10.24292/01.ap.154181219 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 17-22

Author(s):

Małgorzata Puc ◽

Daniel Kotrych ◽

Agnieszka Lipiec ◽

Kazimiera Chłopek ◽

Dariusz Jurkiewicz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pollen Season ◽

Pollen Allergy ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Pollen Allergen ◽

Airborne Concentration ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Annual Total ◽

Pollen Seasons ◽

Seasonal Pollen

Pollen grains are one of the most important groups of atmospheric biological particles that cause allergic processes. Meteorological factors affect the occurrence of pollen allergen release in the air. In order to shed light on this phenomenon this study compares the ash pollen seasons in Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Sosnowiec, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Opole, Olsztyn, Szczecin, Warsaw and Lublin in 2019. The investigations were carried out using the volumetric method (Hirst type pollen sampler). Seasonal Pollen Index (SPI) was estimated as the sum of daily average pollen concentrations in the given season. The ash pollination is mainly observed in April. Diagnosis of ash pollen allergy is made difficult due to an overlapping pollination period with Betulaceae and some cross-reactivity with allergens from Betulaceae. It is not clear whether ash pollen is a primary cause of sensitization or whether it is implicated through cross-sensitization to other pollens. In 2019 the pollen season of ash started first in Opole, on the March 9th. At the latest, a pollen season ended in Bialystok, after mid may. The differences of pollen seasons duration were very considerable, from 28 to 50 days. The highest airborne concentration of 190 pollen grains/m3 was noted in Lublin on the April 21st. The maximum values of seasonal pollen count in Polish cities occurred between April 4th and 22nd, most often between April 18th–22nd. The highest ash pollen allergen hazard occurred in 2019 in Lublin, Warsaw, Piotrkow Trybunalski and Bydgoszcz, and was at least three times higher than in other cities. The highest variability in the analysed seasons was found in the peak value and annual total.

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Goosefoot – a plant that likes drought. The goosefoot family pollen season in 2019 in Poland, Hungary and Slovakia

Alergoprofil ◽

10.24292/01.ap.163180920 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 18-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Małgorzata Puc ◽

Piotr Rapiejko ◽

Donát Magyar ◽

Orsolya Udvardy ◽

Jana Ščevková ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pollen Season ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Airborne Concentration ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Geographical Latitude ◽

Pollen Seasons ◽

Almost All ◽

The Given ◽

Seasonal Pollen

Almost all the species of the Chenopodiaceae family present in our flora flower from July–August to the autumn. Unfortunately, allergies do not take a vacation. Warm, dry July and August weather should limit pollen emissions. However, similarly to most plants in dry habitats, goosefoot are well adapted to such conditions and does not provide even a short reprieve to pollen allergic patients. However, goosefoot pollen does not have a very large allergenic significance; despite the long pollen season lasting about 3 months, pollen concentrations in the air are low and very rarely exceed the concentration of 30 grains/m3. This study compares Chenopodiaceae pollen seasons in Poland, Hungary and Slovakia in 2019. The investigations were carried out using the volumetric method (Hirst type pollen sampler). Seasonal pollen index was estimated as the sum of daily average pollen concentrations in the given season. The pollen season ranges from June to September, depending on the geographical latitude. In Hungary and Slovakia there are much longer pollen seasons than in Poland. Pollen of goosefoot family contains the panallergen profilins, which are responsible for cross-reactivity among pollen-sensitized patients. In 2019 the pollen season of goosefoot started first in Hungary, in Kaposvar on June 7th and in Slovakia, in Žilina, on June 8th; in Poland pollen season started much later, on June 14th in Szczecin and Opole. At the latest, a pollen season ended in Nitria (Slovakia) on October 16th; in Kecskemet (Hungary) on October 3rd. In Poland the season ended much earlier than in Hungary and Slovakia already on August 25th. The differences of pollen season durations are considerable, the number of days ranged from 72 to 128. The dynamics of the pollen seasons of goosefoot family show similarities within a given country and considerable differences between these countries. However, the differences of the highest airborne concentration between the countries are not considerable (25 pollen grains/m3 in Poland, 49 pollen grains/m3 in Hungary, and 30 pollen grains/m3 in Slovakia. The maximum values of seasonal pollen count in Polish cities occurred between July 26th and August 29th, in Hungarian cities between August 27th and 30th, and in Slovakian cities between August 7th and 28th. Pollen season was characterized by extremely different total annual pollen SPI, in Poland from 116 to 360; in Hungary and Slovakia within the limits 290 to 980. Droughts that occur more frequently during the summer facilitate the spread of species of the goosefoot family due to the possibility of these plants gaining new habitats.

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Mugwort pollen season in the air of Poland in 2019

Alergoprofil ◽

10.24292/01.ap.154201119 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 23-28

Author(s):

Małgorzata Puc ◽

Piotr Rapiejko ◽

Agnieszka Lipiec ◽

Małgorzata Malkiewicz ◽

Katarzyna Dąbrowska-Zapart ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pollen Season ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Start Date ◽

Airborne Concentration ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Artemisia Species ◽

Pollen Seasons ◽

June July ◽

Artemisia Pollen ◽

Seasonal Pollen

The Asteraceae family is one of the largest families, comprising 67 genera and 264 species in Poland. However, only a few genera, including Artemisia, are potential allergenic sources. The aim of the study was to compare the mugwort pollen seasons in Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Sosnowiec, Lublin, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Opole, Olsztyn, Szczecin, Warsaw and Wroclaw in 2019. The investigations were carried out using the volumetric method. Seasonal Pollen Index was estimated as the sum of daily average pollen concentrations in the given season. The mugwort pollen season is mainly observed in June, July and at the beginning of September. In 2019 the pollen season of mugwort started first in Opole, on the June 26th. At the latest, a pollen season ended in Bydgoszcz and Warsaw, at the end of September. The differences of pollen seasons duration were extremely considerable, from 35 to 83 days. The highest airborne concentration of 97 pollen grains/m3 was noted in Lublin on the July 31st. The maximum values of seasonal pollen count in Polish cities occurred between July 28th and August 12th, most often between in late July and early August. The highest mugwort pollen allergen hazard occurred in 2019 in Lublin, Warsaw, Opole and Wroclaw, and was 2–3 times higher than in other cities. The highest variability in the analysed seasons was found in start date, while the lowest in the peak value and SPI value. In the pollen season in 2019, 2 peaks of Artemisia pollen concentrations were observed as a result of the order of flowering of A. vulgaris and A. campestris. Information on the pollination of various Artemisia species will be used to avoid excessive exposure to allergens of these pollen grains.

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Tree Pollen Spectra and Pollen Allergy Risk in the Osijek-Baranja County

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology ◽

10.2478/10004-1254-64-2013-2235 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 64 (1) ◽

pp. 115-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Magdalena Sikora ◽

Marina Valek ◽

Zdenka Šušić ◽

Vera Santo ◽

Dario Brdarić

Keyword(s):

Airborne Pollen ◽

Pollen Allergy ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Research Information ◽

Tree Pollen ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

North Eastern ◽

Measuring Site ◽

Monitoring Stations

The forests of north-eastern Croatia, as well as various plants and trees in the parks and streets of the Osijek-Baranja County, produce large amounts of pollen during the pollen season, which can cause allergy symptoms in pollen sensitive individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the most frequent types of pollen in this area and estimate possible health risks, especially the risk of allergy. In 2009 and 2010, the staff of the Health Ecology Department of the Osijek Public Health Institute monitored tree pollen concentrations in four cities from the Osijek - Baranja County (Osijek, Našice, Đakovo and Beli Manastir) using a Burkard volumetric instrument. The results were affected by weather conditions. Windy and sunny days facilitated the transfer of pollen, whereas during rainy days, the concentration of pollen grains decreased. High pollen concentrations of Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Betulaceae, Salicaceae and Aceraceae could be the cause for symptoms of pollen allergy. In 2009, conifers, birch and poplar pollen were dominant at all monitoring stations with 5000 pollen grains (PG), 3188 PG and 3113 PG respectively. The highest number of pollen grains was recorded at measuring site Osijek. The variations in airborne pollen concentration between pollen seasons were recorded at all monitoring stations. The most obvious variations were recorded at measuring site Osijek. The usual pollination period lasts two to three months, which means that most pollen grains remain present from February to early June. However, the Cupressaceae / Taxaceae pollination periods last the longest and their pollen grains remain present until the end of summer. The risk of allergy was determined at four monitored measuring stations and the obtained data confirmed that the largest number of days with a high health risk was at the Đakovo measuring station for a species of birch. The research information aims to help allergologists and individuals allergic to plant pollen develop preventive measures and proper treatment therapies.

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An analysis of grass (Poaceae) pollen seasons in Lublin in 2001-2008

Acta Agrobotanica ◽

10.5586/aa.2009.030 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 62 (2) ◽

pp. 91-96 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Agnieszka Dąbrowska

Keyword(s):

Grass Pollen ◽

Pollen Season ◽

Gravimetric Method ◽

Pollen Allergy ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Maximum Temperature ◽

Air Humidity ◽

Maximum Wind ◽

Relative Air Humidity ◽

Pollen Seasons

Grass pollen allergens are a frequent cause of pollen allergy in Poland and other European countries. The research on aeroplankton conducted in Lublin since 2001 allows characterization of the course of grass pollen seasons and estimation of the effect of maximum and minimum temperatures, relative air humidity, precipitation and maximum wind velocity on the taxon's pollen concentration. The gravimetric method was used in the study. During the eight-year research period, the pollen season usually started in the first or second decade of May and, as a rule, it lasted till the end of August, and quite exceptionally, in 2002 and 2008 till mid-August. The mean length of the pollen season was 107 days. The highest grass pollen risk was observed in the 26th and 27th week. The highest annual counts reaching over 3600 pollen grains × cm-2 were noted in 2008, while in the other study years they ranged from 741 to 1909. The date of the pollen season onset and its course were highly dependent on weather conditions, which was confirmed by the statistical analysis. The greatest significant influence on the pollen season was exerted by maximum temperature, relative air humidity and the maximum wind.

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The threat of allergenic airborne trees pollen to pollinosis sufferers in a rural area (Western Pomerania, Poland)

Acta Agrobotanica ◽

10.5586/aa.2015.039 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 68 (4) ◽

pp. 325-331 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Aleksandra Kruczek ◽

Małgorzata Puc ◽

Alina Stacewicz ◽

Tomasz Wolski

Keyword(s):

Pollen Season ◽

Birch Pollen ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Daily Maximum ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Diurnal Distribution ◽

Annual Total ◽

Total Pollen ◽

Pollen Seasons ◽

The Village

The aim of the study was to investigate the concentration of Alnus L., Corylus L. and Betula L. pollen in the village of Gudowo (Western Pomerania, Poland) in the years 2012–2014 in order to estimate the threat of allergenic tree pollen in this rural region. Measurements were performed using the volumetric method (VPPS Lanzoni 2000 pollen sampler). The duration of the pollen season was determined by the 98% method, taking days on which, respectively, 1% and 99% of the annual total pollen grains appeared as the beginning and end of the season. Pollen grains from hazel occurred in the air as the first ones, before pollen grains from alder and birch. The earliest beginning of the hazel pollen season was recorded in 2012, whereas alder and birch pollen seasons started the earliest in 2014. Daily maximum pollen concentrations of the investigated taxa were recorded in 2014. Birch pollen allergens posed the largest threat to pollinosis sufferers. In the years 2012–2014, pollen concentrations equal or higher than threshold values, at which people with pollinosis show allergic symptoms, were recorded most frequently for birch, hazel, and alder (25, 19, and 14 days, respectively). The highest hourly alder pollen concentration was recorded at 16:00 and in the case of hazel at 15:00. The diurnal distribution of birch pollen concentrations does not show any distinct peaks.

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The course of birch pollen seasons in Sosnowiec (Southern Poland) in 1997–2020 in relation to meteorological conditions

Aerobiologia ◽

10.1007/s10453-021-09734-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Katarzyna Dąbrowska-Zapart ◽

Tadeusz Niedźwiedź

Keyword(s):

Wind Speed ◽

Pollen Season ◽

Birch Pollen ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Meteorological Conditions ◽

Maximum Temperature ◽

Synoptic Situation ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Pollen Seasons ◽

The Impact

AbstractThe study's main objective was to specify the extent to which weather conditions were related to the course of birch pollen seasons in the years 1997–2020. The impact of atmospheric conditions on the daily concentrations of birch pollen grains, the Annual pollen integral (APIn), and the length of pollen seasons were studied. The dependency between each meteorological condition and various features of the birch pollen season was determined using Spearman’s rho correlation, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and cluster analysis with the k-means method. It has been shown that the duration of sunshine and average air temperature occurring within 14 days preceding the season has the most significant influence on the beginning of a birch pollen season. The value of daily birch pollen concentrations in Sosnowiec showed a statistically significant positive correlation with the duration of sunlight and the average and maximum wind speed. The daily concentration also depended on the synoptic situation: the mass airflow direction, the type of air mass inflow, and the type of weather front. The near-ground temperature influenced the APIn of birch pollen grains during the period of 14 days before the beginning of the season and the meteorological conditions occurring in the summer of the preceding year such as the maximum temperature, duration of sunlight, the maximum and average wind speed, and the relative air humidity. It was concluded that the length of birch pollen seasons decreased year by year.

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Analysis of Corylus pollen season in Poland in 2021

Alergoprofil ◽

10.24292/01.ap.172290621 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 54-59

Author(s):

Krystyna Piotrowska-Weryszko ◽

Elżbieta Weryszko-Chmielewska ◽

Katarzyna Dąbrowska-Zapart ◽

Monika Ziemianin ◽

Małgorzata Puc ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pollen Season ◽

Pollen Allergy ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Early Spring ◽

Volumetric Method ◽

Pollen Concentration ◽

The Third ◽

Pollen Seasons ◽

Daily Concentration ◽

Peak Value

Corylus produces allergenic pollen grains that appear in the air in early spring and cause pollen allergy in sensitive people. The aim of this study was to compare the Corylus pollen seasons in 2021 in the following 11 cities in Poland: Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Cracow, Sosnowiec, Lublin, Olsztyn, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Szczecin, Warsaw, Wroclaw, and Zielona Gora. This research was conducted using the volumetric method and Burkard or Lanzoni pollen samplers. Pollen season duration was determined by the 95% method. The hazel pollen season in 2021 began relatively late, between February 20 and March 1. The season start was recorded earliest in Zielona Gora, while latest in Olsztyn. The highest values of maximum Corylus pollen concentration were recorded in Sosnowiec (230 P/m3) and Zielona Gora (213 P/m3), whereas the lowest ones in Bialystok (27 P/m3) and Bydgoszcz (54 P/m3). In most of these cities, the maximum daily concentration of Corylus pollen grains was recorded in the third 10 days of February or at the beginning of March and only in Lublin and Bialystok the peak value occurred later, on March 16 and March 26, respectively. The highest risk of allergy in people sensitive to the pollen of this taxon was found in Lublin, Olsztyn, and Zielona Gora. The highest values of the annual pollen integral were determined in Lublin, similarly to the previous years.

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Meteorological factors and airborne Rumex L. pollen concentration in Lublin

Acta Agrobotanica ◽

10.5586/aa.2012.042 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 45-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Krystyna Piotrowska

Keyword(s):

Air Temperature ◽

Pollen Season ◽

Meteorological Factors ◽

Strongly Correlated ◽

Pollen Concentration ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Pollen Seasons ◽

Spearman’S Correlation ◽

Seasonal Pollen ◽

Peak Value

The aim of the present study was to analyse the Rumex pollen season dynamics in Lublin in 2001-2010 and to find relationships between season parameters and meteorological conditions. This study was carried out by the volumetric method using a Lanzoni VPPS 2000 trap. The start and end dates of each season were determined based on the 98% method. The effects of meteorological factors on the Rumex pollen seasons were analysed by employing Spearman’s correlation test. On average, the sorrel pollen season started on 13 May (±7 days), ended on 7 September (±6 days), and lasted nearly four months (±9 days). The highest pollen concentrations were recorded in June and July. A significantly negative correlation was found between season duration and Seasonal Pollen Index (SPI). During shorter pollen seasons, higher pollen counts were recorded. In all study years, the seasons were right-skewed. The pollen concentration was most strongly correlated with humidity and mean air temperature. The season parameters (onset, end, peak date, peak value, SPI value) were primarily dependent on air temperature before and during the pollen season.

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Comparison of Artemisia L. pollen concentrations and risk of development of allergy symptoms in different regions of Poland in 2020

Alergoprofil ◽

10.24292/01.ap.164311220.2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 27-33

Author(s):

Krystyna Piotrowska-Weryszko ◽

Elżbieta Weryszko-Chmielewska ◽

Aneta Sulborska ◽

Agata Konarska ◽

Agnieszka Lipiec ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pollen Season ◽

Airborne Pollen ◽

Pollen Allergy ◽

Volumetric Method ◽

The Other ◽

Suburban Areas ◽

Allergenic Potential ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Pollen Seasons ◽

Artemisia Pollen

In central Europe, mugwort pollen is a frequent cause of pollen allergy. Poland is one of the countries with the highest airborne concentrations of pollen of this taxon. Due to its high allergenic potential, Artemisia pollen may pose a significant threat to sensitive subjects during summer months. Plants from this genus often grow in urban and suburban areas. The aim of the study was to compare mugwort pollen seasons and concentrations of airborne pollen of these plants in 12 cities located in different regions of Poland: Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Cracow, Lublin, Olsztyn, Opole, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Sosnowiec, Szczecin, Warsaw, Wroclaw, and Zielona Gora. The investigations were carried out with the volumetric method using a Hirst-type pollen sampler (Lanzoni or Burkard) operating on a 24-hour basis. The duration of the pollen season was determined with the 98% method. The earliest onset of the mugwort pollen season was noted in Opole (12.07), and the latest beginning was recorded in Cracow and Sosnowiec (23.07). The maximum pollen concentrations were reported on August 7 and 8 in Lublin (177 P/m3) and Wroclaw (100 P/m3). In all the cities, peak days were recorded on the first ten days of August. The maximum pollen concentrations in the other cities were in the range of 18-89 P/m3. The highest annual pollen sum was recorded in Lublin (1423) and Wroclaw (1050). These values coincided with the highest pollen concentrations determined in these cities. The annual Artemisia pollen sums in 2020 did not have the highest values in comparison with other years in these cities. The average annual pollen sum in the five-year period of 2001-2005 was estimated at 2065 in Lublin and 1662 in Wrocław. Therefore, it can be concluded that the risk of mugwort pollen allergy in the pollen season 2020 was lower than in some previous years.

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