The Relationship Between Daily Asthma Attendance, Weather Parameters, Spore Count and Pollen Count

Abstract

Summary: The daily incidence of asthma as measured by the attendance of children with asthma in the season of low pollen numbers (April to September) is compared with total casualty attendance figures, the atmospheric pollen and fungal spore counts, and with climatic conditions including atmospheric ionization.A multiple regression computer programme with up to three days lag for the effect of climate factors on asthma attendance and fungal and pollen counts was used to demonstrate association between these factors. Statistical analysis of this data shows that there is a significant association between reduction in asthma attendance (p < 0.05) and increased atmospheric ionization three days before, increased barometric pressure two days before, and increased temperature one day before. This association accounts for 16.18% of the daily variation in asthma attendance. There is also a significant association between increased fungal spore counts and increased asthma (p < 0.05). In this April to September period there is no association between pollen grain counts and asthma. Climate factors, as might be expected, are significantly associated with variation in pollen (26.44%) and fungal spore numbers (21.74%). With the exception of atmospheric ionization three days before (being associated with both a reduction in fungal spore count and a reduction in asthma attendance), there is no coincidence between the climate factors associated with variation in air spora numbers and those associated with variation in attendance with asthma. It would appear that, in the Perth area between April and September, variation in climate factors and fungal spore counts are associated with variation in the asthma attendance rate.

Epidemiological studies of the respiratory effects of air pollution

“…In Mexico City, ER visits for childhood asthma increased by 43% per 98 µg·m -3 (50 ppb) increase in ozone, and by 68% if O 3 exceeded 216 µg·m -3 (110 ppb) for two or more days, controlling for other pollutants, weather and other factors [156]. Asthma attendance was also correlated with spore and pollen counts along with weather factors [157]. Increased rates of asthma attacks and reduced lung function were noted in epidemiological studies during episodes, or days of higher levels of photochemical oxidant air pollution (tables 3 and 4).…”

Influence of Aerobiology and Weather on Symptoms in Children with Asthma

“…While several investigations show clear-cut associations of asthma attacks with the seasonal pollen count in patients with allergic asthma [8,10], others fail to confirm these conclusions [16]. When the single climatic factors are differentiated and investigated as regards their importance on the course of bronchial asthma contradictory conclusions are found [1,4,11,14,17,18]. We therefore attempt ed to assess the influence of the most fre quently occurring pollens in the investigated area during the summer, i.e., Castanea (sweet chestnut), Poaceae (grasses) and of alternaria and cladosporium spores, as well as the influence of local and general weather on the frequency of attacks, drug require ments and pulmonary function of asthmatic children.…”

An evaluation of some models to predict airborne pollen concentration from meteorological conditions in stockholm, sweden

“…Among many meteorological variables the following were chosen for analysis partly because of our knowledge of the biological processes of pollen release (Kozlowski 1973) and partly because of our knowledge of transport, dilution and removal of particles from the atmosphere (Sehmel.1975, Bache 1979: (1) daytime mean (T) and maximum (TMAX) air temperature, (2) global radiation and duration of sunshine, (3) daytime mean and minimum relative humidity (rh), (4) air pressure change (AP) (Hobday & Stewart 1973), (5) amount of rainfall, (6) wind direction, (7) daytime mean windspeed (U) and (8) mixing depth.…”