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

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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Analysis of the concentration of Tilia sp. pollen in selected Polish cities in 2020

Alergoprofil ◽

10.24292/01.ap.164311220.4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 21-26

Author(s):

Aneta Sulborska ◽

Krystyna Piotrowska-Weryszko ◽

Elżbieta Weryszko-Chmielewska ◽

Agnieszka Lipiec ◽

Grzegorz Siergiejko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Pollen Season ◽

Volumetric Method ◽

The Other ◽

Pollen Concentration ◽

Urban Greenery ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Pollen Seasons

With their numerous natural and functional values, lime trees are recommended for planting in urban greenery. However, the allergenic properties of lime pollen should be taken into account. The aim of the study was to analyze the concentration of airborne lime pollen and the course of pollen seasons in this taxon in 10 cities in Poland in 2020. The aerobiological analyses were carried out in Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Cracow, Lublin, Olsztyn, Opole, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Sosnowiec, Szczecin, and Warsaw. The investigations were conducted with the volumetric method using Burkard or Lanzoni pollen samplers. The 98% method was employed to determine the length of the pollen season. The earliest onset of the lime pollen season was recorded in Opole and Warsaw (14.06), and the latest date was noted in Sosnowiec (23.06). The maximum lime pollen concentrations were reported between 1.07 and 6.07 in most cities and on 24.06 only in Lublin and Opole. The highest annual pollen sums were recorded in Lublin (738), similar to those reported in 2018 and 2019, whereas the lowest values were noted in Bialystok (20), Sosnowiec (145), and Olsztyn (149). The annual sums of lime pollen in the other measurement sites located in the different regions of Poland were in the range of 180-308. In the discussion, the results from 2020 for Lublin are compared with data from the previous 19 years collected in this city. The data suggest that the increase in the airborne lime pollen concentration recorded in Lublin in recent years may be associated with climate change.

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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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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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Thirty-Year Survey on Airborne Pollen Concentrations in Genoa, Italy: Relationship with Sensitizations, Meteorological Data, and Air Pollution

American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy ◽

10.2500/ajra.2011.25.3729 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 25 (6) ◽

pp. e232-e241 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Arsenio Corrado Negrini ◽

Simone Negrini ◽

Vania Giunta ◽

Silvana Quaglini ◽

Giorgio Ciprandi

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Pollen Season ◽

Meteorological Parameters ◽

Airborne Pollen ◽

Meteorological Data ◽

Pollen Allergy ◽

Pollen Species ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Large Populations ◽

Pollen Release

Background Pollen allergy represents a relevant health issue. Betulaceae sensitization significantly increased in Genoa, Italy, in the last decades. This study investigated possible relationships among pollen count, meteorological changes, air pollution, and sensitizations in this city during a 30-year period. Methods Betulaceae, Urticaceae, Gramineae, and Oleaceae pollen counts were measured from 1981 to 2010 in Genoa. Sensitization to these pollens was also considered in large populations of allergic patients. Meteorological parameters and pollutants were also measured in the same area. Results Betulaceae sensitization increased over time. All pollen species significantly increased over this time. Pollen season advanced for Betulaceae and Urticaceae. Only Urticaceae season significantly increased. Temperature increased while rainfall decreased over the time. Pollutants significantly decreased. There were some relationships between pollen changes and climatic and air pollution parameters. Conclusion This 30-year study conducted in an urbanized area provided evidence that Betulaceae sensitization significantly increased, pollen load significantly augmented, and climate and air pollution changed with a possible influence on pollen release.

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

Alergoprofil ◽

10.24292/01.ap.161310320 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 15-20

Author(s):

Małgorzata Puc ◽

Donát Magyar ◽

Orsolya Udvardy ◽

Agnieszka Lipiec ◽

Piotr Rapiejko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pollen Season ◽

Pollen Allergy ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Tree Pollen ◽

Plane Tree ◽

Airborne Concentration ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Pollen Seasons ◽

Seasonal Pollen

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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Alder pollen season in selected cities of Poland in 2020

Alergoprofil ◽

10.24292/01.ap.162250420 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 25-30

Author(s):

Małgorzata Malkiewicz ◽

Krystyna Piotrowska-Weryszko ◽

Małgorzata Puc ◽

Dariusz Jurkiewicz ◽

Grzegorz Siergiejko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pollen Season ◽

Volumetric Method ◽

The Other ◽

Pollen Count ◽

Total Catch ◽

Spore Trap ◽

The Third ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Annual Total ◽

Pollination Season

This paper presents the course of alder pollination season in Poland in 2020. The measurements were performed in Bydgoszcz, Bialystok, Lublin, Olsztyn, Opole, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Sosnowiec, Szczecin, Warsaw, Wroclaw and Zielona Gora. Volumetric method with the use of Volumetric Spore Trap (Burkard, Lanzoni) was implemented. Pollen season was defined as the period in which 95% of the annual total catch occurred. The alder pollen season in 2020 started about 10–30 days earlier compared to 2017–2019. The pollen season started first in Szczecin, Opole and Zielona Gora (in the second half of January). In the other cities alder pollen season started in first half of February. The highest daily pollen count was recorded in Lublin (1211 P/m3). In other cities the maximum concentrations ranged from 160 P/m3 in Sosnowiec to 465 P/m3 in Piotrkow Trybunalski. The highest alder pollen concentrations were detected in the first decade of March (March 1st–3rd). Only in Zielona Gora, Wroclaw, Opole and Sosnowiec the maximum concentration was recorded in the third decade of February. The annual pollen sum of Alnus in 2020 was even 5–10 times lower than in years 2019.

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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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Pollen seasons of selected tree and shrub taxa in Kraków and its neighbourhood

Acta Agrobotanica ◽

10.5586/aa.2007.033 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 60 (2) ◽

pp. 71-77 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Dorota Myszkowska ◽

Bartosz Jenner ◽

Katarzyna Cywa ◽

Monika Kuropatwa ◽

Danuta Stępalska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pollen Season ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Volumetric Method ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Pollen Seasons ◽

Start Dates

The aim of the study was to compare the dynamics of pollen seasons of selected tree and shrub taxa among measurement sites in Kraków and its neighbourhood. The study was performed in Kraków and Piotrkowice Małe in 2002, as well as in Kraków and Giebułtów in 2006. During the study the volumetric method was applied and pollen grains were counted along four horizontal lines. The lowest percentage of Corylus pollen and the highest percentage of Betula pollen were found in the analysed sites. The differences among start dates in various measurement sites in a given year were inconsiderable. Statistically signifi cant differences of SPI values for the majority of taxa were found between measurement sites and between seasons for Kraków. The pollen season dynamics showed one (Betula, Pinaceae) or more maximum values (Corylus, Populus, Fraxinus, Salix). The occurrence of many peaks could be explained by the appearance of several species within one genus in the studied area or by various weather conditions. In 2002 maximum pollen concentrations were recorded earlier than in 2006. The differences in these dates could be explained better by cumulative temperature >5℃ than >0℃.

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Pollen concentrations of some plants in the air over Olszanica (Bieszczady Niskie Mountains) and Wrocław in the 2008 season

Acta Agrobotanica ◽

10.5586/aa.2010.037 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 63 (2) ◽

pp. 97-103

Author(s):

Małgorzata Malkiewicz ◽

Kamilla Klaczak

Keyword(s):

Pollen Season ◽

Birch Pollen ◽

Urban Site ◽

Rural Environment ◽

Pollen Allergens ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Allergenic Activity ◽

Birch Pollen Allergen ◽

Burkard Trap ◽

Pollen Seasons

This paper presents the results of an analysis of pollen season patterns for taxa which show the strongest allergenic activity (alder, birch, grasses, and mugwort) in 2008 in the air over Wrocław and Olszanica. The study was carried out using the volumetric method (Burkard trap). The results show variation in pollen seasons between the analyzed localities. An attempt was made to find out in which of the sites in question - the urban site or the rural one - there was a greater risk of allergens of the selected plants. The results of the present study show that the alder, birch and grass pollen seasons in 2008 started and ended earlier in Wrocław, and maximum pollen concentrations were definitely lower. But the mugwort pollen season started earlier and ended much later in Olszanica, while maximum pollen concentration of this taxon was more than twice lower than in Wrocław. In 2008 in the investigated localities, the highest pollen concentrations of the plants in question occurred in the following months: alder in February, birch in April, grasses in June, while mugwort in August. In 2008 alder and birch pollen allergen risk was comparable in the investigated urban and rural environment. However, grass and mugwort pollen allergens posed a significantly greater threat in the rural environment than in Wrocław.

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The late flowering of invasive species contributes to the increase of Artemisia allergenic pollen in autumn: an analysis of 25 years of aerobiological data (1995–2019) in Trentino-Alto Adige (Northern Italy)

Aerobiologia ◽

10.1007/s10453-020-09663-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (4) ◽

pp. 669-682 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Antonella Cristofori ◽

Edith Bucher ◽

Michele Rossi ◽

Fabiana Cristofolini ◽

Veronika Kofler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Invasive Species ◽

Pollen Season ◽

Airborne Pollen ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Late Summer ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Allergenic Pollen ◽

Pollen Concentration ◽

Pollen Concentrations ◽

Negative Impacts

AbstractArtemisia pollen is an important aeroallergen in late summer, especially in central and eastern Europe where distinct anemophilous Artemisia spp. produce high amounts of pollen grains. The study aims at: (i) analyzing the temporal pattern of and changes in the Artemisia spp. pollen season; (ii) identifying the Artemisia species responsible for the local airborne pollen load.Daily pollen concentration of Artemisia spp. was analyzed at two sites (BZ and SM) in Trentino-Alto Adige, North Italy, from 1995 to 2019.The analysis of airborne Artemisia pollen concentrations evidences the presence of a bimodal curve, with two peaks, in August and September, respectively. The magnitude of peak concentrations varies across the studied time span for both sites: the maximum concentration at the September peak increases significantly for both the BZ (p < 0.05) and SM (p < 0.001) site. The first peak in the pollen calendar is attributable to native Artemisia species, with A. vulgaris as the most abundant; the second peak is mostly represented by the invasive species A. annua and A. verlotiorum (in constant proportion along the years), which are causing a considerable increase in pollen concentration in the late pollen season in recent years.. The spread of these species can affect human health, increasing the length and severity of allergenic pollen exposure in autumn, as well as plant biodiversity in both natural and cultivated areas, with negative impacts on, e.g., Natura 2000 protected sites and crops.

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