Analysis of airborne pollen fall in Tekirdag, Turkey

Abstract

Objective: Airborne pollen grains are important aeroallergens. When released in sufficient amounts, allergenic pollen may evoke allergic responses in the sensitive patients, leading to allergic rhinitis and asthma. The aim of this study was to determine pollen grains and changes in pollen fall per cm(2) weekly, monthly and annually in the atmosphere of Tekirdag.Materials and Methods: In this study, pollen grains were collected from the atmosphere of Tekirdag in 2002 and 2003 using a Durham sampler.Results: During these two years, a total of 7183 pollen grains were recorded. A total of 3462 pollen grains per cm(2) were recorded in 2002 and a total of 3721 pollen grains per cm(2) in 2003. Pollen fall in the years 2002-2003 comprised grains belonging to 45 taxa. Of these taxa, 25 belonged to arboreal and 20 taxa non-arboreal plants. Total pollen grains consisted of 64.08% grains from arboreal plants, 35.89% grains from non-arboreal plants and 0.03% unidentified pollen grains. In the region investigated, Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (Cypress/Taxus family), Pinus spp. (Pine), Gramineae (Grass), Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae (Chenopod/Amaranth family), Quercus spp. (Oak), Xanthium spp. (Cockleburs), Juglans spp. (Wallnut), Platanus spp. (Plane tree), Aesculus spp. (Horse chestnut), Fraxinus spp. (Ash), Oleaceae (Olive family), Salix spp. (Willow), Plantago spp. (Plantain), Rumex spp. (Sorrel), Artemisia spp. (Mugwort) and Betula spp. (Birch) released the greatest amounts of pollen. The months of maximum pollen fall was from April to June.Conclusion: The pollen calendar for Tekirdag region presented in this paper may be useful for showing the timing of pollen seasons to visitors to the city, and may be useful for allergologists to establish an exact diagnosis.