What Is a Pollen Count?
Printer Friendly Version addthis_pub = ‘wearecentralpa’; addthis_brand = ‘wearecentralpa.com’; addthis_options = ’email, favorites, digg, delicious, myspace, facebook’; addthis_offset_left = -110; addthis_newurl = location.href; addthis_newurlprefix = (location.href.indexOf(‘?’)) ? ‘&’ : ‘?’; addthis_newurl += addthis_newurlprefix+’shr=addthis’; Reported by: Chief Meteorologist Joe Murgo Tuesday, Apr 14, 2009 @12:47pm EST Our station provides a local pollen count each night at 11pm and then again in the morning. There are also other sources for a pollen count, but I thought it would be good to actually understand what a count is. First of all, a big thanks to Doctors Rosch and Jeffries who provide us with such a good local count as local is the only way to go. Each day, a glass rod is placed into a machine. This rod has a gel that is placed onto it and then is spun for 24 hours. The spinning increases the interaction with the air which then captures pollen and spores that are airborne.
Pollen counts measure the amount of airborne allergens present in the air. Counts are compiled by a variety of methods. Pollen counts are reported as grains per cubic meter of air. Certified aeroallergen counters at many universities, medical centers and clinics provide these counts on a volunteer basis. How do you acquire pollen counts? The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has a network of pollen counters across the United States. Each counter works under the direction of an AAAAI member and must first pass an intensive certification course. Counters use air sampling equipment to capture air-borne pollens. The number of pollen grains collected are then counted and logged. How is a pollen count interpreted? Interpretation of pollen and mold counts and their relationship to symptoms is complex. Sampling techniques such as the type of device used and its location within the community can affect counts. While many patients develop symptoms when pollen counts are 20-100 g
The pollen count is determined by the amount of pollen in the air at any given point in time. Its mathematical formula is the number of grains of pollen in a square meter during a 24 hour window. Clearly, it may not be a perfectly accurate way to determine how the air will affect your symptoms, but as a general indicator, it cannot be beat. This does not say much on the topic of avoidance. You can try to stay indoors when the pollen count is high, but this may be a case of talking to your doctor about the severity of your symptoms. Then, you and your doctor can determine the appropriate course of action and pollen allergy treatment to help you deal with your symptoms. Allergies to pollen are hard to avoid. By talking to your doctor and keeping yourself apprised of the pollen count, you may be able to find some pollen allergy relief. Pollen Allergies and How They affect you Each spring, summer and fall, tiny particles known as pollen are released from trees, weeds and grasses and they h
For people who suffer from hay fever and certain other allergies, it’s important to know how much pollen is in the air. Some people who are very sensitive to pollen go away during peak pollen seasons, and they want to know what the pollen count is before they return home. A pollen count is, quite simply, a count of pollen grains
Pollen counts measure the amount of airborne allergens present in the air. Counts are compiled by a variety of methods. Pollen counts are reported as grains per cubic meter of air. Certified aeroallergen counters at many universities, medical centers and clinics provide these counts on a volunteer basis.
