2167 Seasonal Variations of Airborne Pollen in Bangalore, India

Thursday, 15 October 2015
Hall D1 Foyer (Floor 3) (Coex Convention Center)

Roopashree S, Ph.D , Environmental Science, University, Bangalore, India

 

Abstract: Using a Burkard 7-day volumetric sampler a survey of airborne pollen grains in Bangalore was carried out from January 2012 – December 2013 to assess the qualitative and quantitative occurrence of pollen grains during different months of the year, and to characterize the pollen seasons of dominant pollen types in the atmosphere of Bangalore City. 38 pollen types were identified out of the total pollen catch of 32144 pollen grains/m3. Bulk of the pollen originated from anemophilous trees and grasses. Eight pollen types recorded more than 1% of the annual total pollen catch. Peltophorum pterocarpum formed the major component of the pollen spectrum constituting 56 %of the total pollen catch followed by other significant pollen contributors were from the genera such as Delonix regia, Parthenium hysterophorus, Samanea saman, Poaceae and Amaranthus spinosus. Highest pollen counts were obtained in the month of May and lowest in August. The pollen types recorded marked the seasonal pattern of occurrence in the atmosphere. February-May was the principle pollen season with maximum number of pollen counts and pollen types. September – October was the second pollen season with grasses being the main source of pollen. Airborne pollen spectrum reflected the vegetation of Bangalore city. A significant negative correlation was found of daily pollen counts with minimum temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. The skin prick test was performed on 486 patients with Allergic rhinitis. The test was performed with eleven pollen allergen extracts.