Daily fluctuations in the concentrations of pollen grains in aeroplankton of Krakow in 1991

Dorota Myszkowska¹, Marcin Stobiecki², Krystyna Obtulowicz², Kazimierz Szczepanek¹

Department of Industrial Allergy, Chair of Occupational Medicine and Professional Diseases, Collegium Medicum of the Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
Department of Paleobotany, Institute of Botany of the Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland

Published in: R. Spiewak (Editor): "Pollens and Pollinosis: Current Problems". Institute of Agricultural Medicine, Lublin (Poland) 1995, page 26.

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Po Polsku

Objective

The aim of the study was the assessment of day and night fluctuations in the concentration of pollen grains in aeroplankton. These pieces of information aim at fundamentally better protection and treatment for pollen allergy.

Material and Methods

During the whole 1991 year, day and night 2 hrs air samples were microscopically analyzed. The volumetric method of air sampling was used. Burkard trap was placed 25 m above the ground in the center of Krakow.

Results

14 pollen taxa, the most often present in the aeroplankton of this region, were identified and the concentration of grains per m³ in each consecutive 2 hrs was calculated. Daily were observed 1-3 peaks of the contents of grains/m³ which depends on taxon. The lowest concentration of grains of all analyzed taxa was noted between 3-8 a.m., and the highest concentration between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Discussion

The studies confirm regular and significant daily changes in the concentration of pollen grains in aeroplankton. The information concerning this phenomenon seems to be very important in preventive therapy of patients suffering from pollen allergy during pollen season.