Abstract
Large-scale synoptic conditions are able to transport considerable amounts of airborne particles over entire continents by creating substantial air mass movement. This phenomenon is observed in Europe in relation to highly allergenic ragweed (Ambrosia L.) pollen grains that are transported from populations in Central Europe (mainly the Pannonian Plain and Balkans) to the North. The path taken by atmospheric ragweed pollen often passes through the highly industrialised mining region of Silesia in Southern Poland, considered to be one of the most polluted areas in the EU. It is hypothesized that chemical air pollutants released over Silesia could become mixed with biological material and be transported to less polluted regions further North. We analysed levels of air pollution during episodes of long-distance transport (LDT) of ragweed pollen to Poland. Results show that, concomitantly with pollen, the concentration of air pollutants with potential health-risk, i.e. SO2, and PM10, have also significantly increased (by 104% and 37%, respectively) in the receptor area (Western Poland). Chemical transport modelling (EMEP) and air mass back-trajectory analysis (HYSPLIT) showed that potential sources of PM10 include Silesia, as well as mineral dust from the Ukrainian steppe and the Sahara Desert. In addition, atmospheric concentrations of other allergenic biological particles, i.e. Alternaria Nees ex Fr. spores, also increased markedly (by 115%) during LDT episodes. We suggest that the LDT episodes of ragweed pollen over Europe are not a “one-component” phenomenon, but are often related to elevated levels of chemical air pollutants and other biotic and abiotic components (fungal spores and desert dust).
Highlights
Ragweed (Ambrosia L.) pollen is considered to be a highly potent aeroallergen worldwide (Oswalt and Marshall, 2008)
We have shown that the same conditions required for the long-distance transport (LDT) of ragweed pollen result in elevated levels of air pollution in Poznan, Western Poland
Episodes of long-distance transported ragweed pollen to Northern Europe are often associated with elevated levels of anthropogenic and natural air pollutants, which may increase atmospheric concentrations by 100% within days
Summary
Ragweed (Ambrosia L.) pollen is considered to be a highly potent aeroallergen worldwide (Oswalt and Marshall, 2008). It has been estimated that about 26% of the US population is sensitized to ragweed pollen (Arbes et al, 2005). In severely infested areas in Europe, such as Hungary, the clinically relevant sensitization rate among allergic patients exceeded 49% (Burbach et al, 2009). Due to climate change, the distribution range of Ambrosia will increase towards Northern and Eastern Europe (Rasmussen et al, 2017) resulting in substantial increase in problems associated with ragweed pollen allergy (Lake et al, 2017). The duration and intensity of ragweed pollen seasons as well as the allergenic potential of ragweed pollen may increase in the coming decades (Lake et al, 2017; Ziska et al, 2011; HamaouiLaguel et al, 2015; Choi et al, 2018)
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