Comparative study of airborne pollen concentrations in central Italy and the Netherlands (1982–1985)

Abstract

Airborne pollen concentrations, measured continuously with a volumetric method at two places in central Italy and in The Netherlands, are compared with respect to both their quantitative and seasonal aspects. Special attention was given to three taxa which occur in the two geographically distinct regions and are known to cause allergic sensitization: Alnus (alder), Poaceae (wild grasses), and Artemisia (mugwort). Averagely, total pollen concentrations are slightly higher in central Italy. The start and the main period in early spring of the season of Alnus pollen, which is more common in The Netherlands, is rather variable from year to year, in both regions correlated with the air temperature in the preceding months. Poaceae pollen, making up to 10 to 20% of the total annual pollen concentrations in both regions, has its start and main season in late spring about one month earlier in central Italy than in The Netherlands, strongly correlated with air temperatures in April and May. The main period and the start in late summer of the season of Artemisia pollen, with fairly low concentrations in both regions, are about 10 days earlier in The Netherlands, which seems to be inversely correlated with the air temperature in June and July, suggesting a postponing influence on pollen release of higher temperatures, stimulating vegetative growth during the warm summer period.