AUTHORS:

Rykowska Z., Tomczak A., Stachlewska I.S.

ABSTRACT:

Twenty pollen taxa were characterized based on the in-situ measurements conducted with the Hirst-type pollen trap during 2023 in Warsaw, Poland: Corylus (hazel), Alnus (alder), Populus (poplar), Ulmus (elm), Salix (willow), Carpinus (hornbeam), Acer (maple), Fagus (beech), Betula (birch), Fraxinus (ash), Taxus/Cupressaceae (yew), Quercus (oak), Pinaceae (pine/spruce), Poaceae (grass), Rumex (sorrel), Plantago (plantain), Urtica (nettle), Chenopodiaceae (blite), Artemisia (mugwort), and Ambrosia (ragweed). Pollen season for each taxon was defined using the 98% method. The characteristics of each pollen season per taxon were described, including the start and end dates, the day and value of the peak concentration. An additional focus was dedicated to one of the most allergenic pollen in Poland: hazel, birch, grass, and ragweed. The number of days in 2023, when the susceptible population could experience the first symptoms of the allergy, were evaluated based on the concentration thresholds for the given taxa. The obtained results indicate that during the respective pollen season, people allergic to birch, grass, hazel and ragweed, were indeed exposed to concentrations above the threshold capable of triggering the first symptoms of rhinitis on approximately 80%, 38%, 13%, and 8% of the days, respectively.

Alergoprofil, 2026, vol. 22(1), pp. 3-12, doi: 10.24292/01.AP.214009925