RESEARCH PAPER
Quantitative trends in airborne loads of Celtis sinensis pollen and associations with meteorological variables in a subtropical Australian environment.
 
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1
Department of Medicine, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
 
2
Department of Botany, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
 
 
Corresponding author
Brett James Green   

Department of Medicine, Woolcock Allergen Unit, Room 461, Blackburn Building D06, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia 2006
 
 
Ann Agric Environ Med. 2004;11(2):297-302
 
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ABSTRACT
Celtis sinensis is an introduced plant species to the south eastern region of Queensland that has had a destructive affect on indigenous plant communities and its pollen has been identified as an allergen source. Pollen belonging to C. sinensis was sampled during a 5-year (June 1994-May1999) atmospheric pollen-monitoring programme in Brisbane, Australia, using a Burkard 7-day spore trap.The seasonal incidence of airborne C. sinensis pollen (CsP) in Brisbane occurred over a brief periodeach year during spring (August-September), while peak concentrations were restricted to the beginning of September. Individual CsP seasons were heterogeneous with daily counts within the range 1-10 grainsm-3 on no more than 60 sampling days; however, smaller airborne concentrations of CsP were recorded out of each season. Correlation co-efficients were significant each year for temperature (p <0.05),but were less consistent for precipitation (p>0.05) and relative humidity (p>0.05). A significant relationship (r2 =0.81, p=0.036) was established between the total CsP count and pre-seasonal average maximum temperature; however, periods of precipitation (> 2 mm) were demonstrated to significantly lower the daily concentrations of CsP from the atmosphere. Given the environmental and clinical significance of CsP and its prevalence in the atmosphere of Brisbane, a clinical population-based study is required to further understand the pollen's importance as a seasonal sensitizing source in this region.
eISSN:1898-2263
ISSN:1232-1966
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