Pollen counts and their relationship to meteorological factors in Ankara, Turkey during 2005–2008

Abstract

Pollen plays an important role in the development and exacerbation of allergic diseases. We aimed to investigate the days with highest counts of the most allergenic pollens and to identify the meteorological factors affecting pollen counts in the atmosphere of Ankara, Turkey. Airborne pollen measurements were carried out from 2005 to 2008 with a Burkard volumetric 7-day spore trap. Microscope counts were converted into atmospheric concentrations and expressed as pollen grains/m(3). Meteorological parameters were obtained from the State Meteorological Service. All statistical analyses were done with pollen counts obtained from March to October for each year. The percentages of tree, grass and weed pollens were 72.1% (n = 24,923), 12.8% (n = 4,433) and 15.1% (n = 5,219), respectively. The Pinaceae family from tree taxa (39% to 57%) and the Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae family from weed taxa, contributed the highest percentage of pollen (25% to 43%), while from the grass taxa, only the Poaceae family was detected from 2005 to 2008. Poaceae and Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae families, which are the most allergenic pollens, were found in high numbers from May to August in Ankara. In multiple logistic regression analysis, wind speed (OR = 1.18, CI95% = 1.02-1.36, P = 0.023) for tree pollen, daily mean temperature (OR = 1.10, CI95% = 1.04-1.17, P = 0.001) and sunshine hours (OR = 1.15, CI95% = 1.01-1.30, P = 0.033) for grass pollen, and sunshine hours (OR = 3.79, CI95% = 1.03-13.92, P = 0.044) for weed pollen were found as significant risk factors for high pollen count. The pollen calendar and its association with meteorological factors depend mainly on daily temperature, sunshine hours and wind speed, which may help draw the attention of physicians and allergic patients to days with high pollen counts.

Minimum prick test panel for adult patients with asthma and rhinitis in Ankara, Turkey

“…This finding might be due to the long distance transport of the olive tree pollens, which leads to sensitization far from the source of pollen [18]. It was shown that the pollen counts for Oleaceae reached to high values (90-1500) in the atmosphere of Ankara in the year 2007 [19]. Another explanation for this finding might be the increasing mobility within different regions of our country because of migrations, work, education or vacations.…”

Airborne pollen parameters and their relationship with meteorological variables in NE Iberian Peninsula

“…Again, Poaceae is the pollen type more studied. The authors Kizilpinar et al (2011) and Khwarahm et al (2014) show a strong positive correlation of grass pollen with INS.…”

Spatiotemporal models for predicting high pollen concentration level of Corylus, Alnus, and Betula

“…Previous studies found a relationship between the temperature in the preceding year and the annual pollen sum (Latałowa et al 2002; Rasmussen 2002). The influence of air temperature on pollen concentration has often been reported (Rodríguez-Rajo et al 2004; Puc2007, 2012; Kizilpinar et al2011). The impact of other meteorological parameters, such as precipitation, wind speed, and humidity, has also been reported (Latałowa et al 2002; Puc2007, 2012).…”