Is there an advantage to staying indoors for pollen allergy sufferers? Composition and quantitative aspects of the indoor pollen spectrum

Abstract

The pollen content of the air in an office was assessed together with the dust on the floor and on the desktops as well as the pollen content outside of the building on rooftops and at ground level. The whole pollen spectrum was evaluated (35 different pollen types) with focus on the major aeroallergens. The air samples were measured with Hirst-type pollen traps and the dust samples were evaluated following guidelines in forensic palynology. The same time period was examined on four different sampling days: (1) during the winter as a reference day, (2) during the main pollination period of Betula, (3) during the main pollination period of Poaceae and (4) during the main pollination period of Ambrosia. Pollen concentrations were generally lower in indoor air than in outdoor air (except for the winter day), but showed associations with dust by containing non-seasonal pollen types as well as seasonal pollen. Staying indoors is recommended for pollen allergy sufferers, but does not grant the absence of pollen or the total avoidance of symptoms. Results indicate that persons concerned should keep in mind being confronted with pollen in certain amounts throughout the year indoors in built environment.