engleski

Atmospheric Ambrosia pollen frequencies and association with temperature in Zagreb, Croatia, 2006-2007

Allergy is the world widest disease of today. The most common source of allergies disease of respiratory system is pollen. The number of allergy patients is increasing from day to day, especially in urban areas. Type and concentration of pollen in the air depend from geography–climatic region, regional vegetation and meteorological conditions (mainly temperature). The increasing problem of sensitization to ragweed pollen in Europe has triggered studies on Ambrosia pollen in Croatia. Ragweed (Ambrosia sp.) an originally North American species, has been expanding in Europe during the second half of 20th century. Because of its allergenic character, monitoring of ragweed pollen has been performed in Europe for years. Ambrosia was find in Croatia in 1941 for the first time. Since then the plant migrated rapidly into new areas. However Croatia take place in the epicentre of Ambrosia expansion with the very high concentration of pollen find in the time of pollination (August and Septembar) it is necessary planning of preventive actions for elimination that allergenic plant. With this action, concentration of pollen count will decrease on the level which does not cause appearance of symptoms of allergic diseases (less than 30 pollen grains per m3 in the air). The aim of the study was to determine and compare the airborne ragweed pollen count in two years in the city of Zagreb according to the onset, duration of season, peak values, temperature and total annual count. Seven-day Hirst-type volumetric pollen traps were used for pollen sampling. Pollen concentration was expressed as the average number of pollen grains daily/m3. The two (2006 and 2007) pollen season were investigated. Ragweed pollen is the third most abundant pollen type in atmosphere of Zagreb and accounted for 13% of total annual pollen spectrum in 2006 and 12% of total annual pollen count in 2007. The peak daily pollen concentrations were recorded at the end of August and in the first week of September when the temperature was highest. The mean total annual concentration of ragweed measured in 2006 was 6, 104 In 2007 measured decreasing number (3, 012) of pollen grains caused by effective preventive actions and lower average temperature. The results of this study are expected to help alleviate the symptoms of allergenic reactions in individuals with ragweed pollen hypersensitivity, thus improving their quality of life.

Ragweed (Ambrosia sp.); pollen count; volumetric method; peak day; Croatia 2006-2007.

nije evidentirano