Differences in grass pollen allergen exposure across Australia

Abstract

Objective Allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma are important chronic diseases posing serious public health issues in Australia with associated medical, economic, and societal burdens. Pollen are significant sources of clinically relevant outdoor aeroallergens, recognised as both a major trigger for, and cause of, allergic respiratory diseases. This study aimed to provide a national, and indeed international, perspective on the state of Australian pollen data using a large representative sample. Methods Atmospheric grass pollen concentration is examined over a number of years within the period 1995 to 2013 for Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, and Sydney, including determination of the ‘clinical’ grass pollen season and grass pollen peak. Results The results of this study describe, for the first time, a striking spatial and temporal variability in grass pollen seasons in Australia, with important implications for clinicians and public health professionals, and the Australian grass pollen-allergic community. Conclusions These results demonstrate that static pollen calendars are of limited utility and in some cases misleading. This study also highlights significant deficiencies and limitations in the existing Australian pollen monitoring and data. Implications Establishment of an Australian national pollen monitoring network would help facilitate advances in the clinical and public health management of the millions of Australians with asthma and allergic rhinitis.

High ambient levels of grass, weed and other pollen are associated with asthma admissions in children and adolescents: A large 5‐year case‐crossover study

“…The “unclassified” group included pollen that were not identified into any of the categories specified above. Earlier studies in Sydney have shown two distinct grass pollen peaks: the first smaller peak occurs between January and April and the second major pollen peak between July to October but we do acknowledge that other species maybe present in the atmosphere throughout the year.…”

Regional and seasonal variation in airborne grass pollen levels between cities of Australia and New Zealand

“…We have also observed that the timing of the grass pollen season differs between geographic locations and over time (Beggs et al 2015). Here, we investigate the drivers of variation in the characteristics of the grass pollen season across latitudinal and climatic gradients.…”

High Levels of Allergenic Tree Pollen in Southern New Zealand

“…With the exception of the Palmerston North study of pine pollen, none of these papers focused on tree pollen. Recently, a series of publications have reviewed the available information about allergenic pollen levels in Australia and New Zealand and highlighted the emphasis placed to date on grass pollen [12][13][14][15]. As such, little is known about the levels of tree pollen in New Zealand, nor the extent to which such pollens could be contributing to the burden of allergenic rhinitis in New Zealand.…”