Measurements of particulate matter and pollen in the city of Berlin

Abstract

A six week pilot study campaign of parallel measurements of particulate matter (PM10) and pollen has been carried out during the pollination season of grass pollen in May/June 2011 in the city of Berlin. The measurements run as 24h daily samplings at three monitoring sites, characterized as inner-city, suburban and traffic locations with different vegetation influences. The results show the highest burden for urban public health at the traffic hot-spot, both for PM10 and grass pollen. Furthermore, for both good correlations were found between the sites. Sound correlations have been determined between concentrations and daily maximum temperature. On several days grass pollen concentration in densely populated parts of the city reached health relevant threshold values that are required to initiate allergenic symptoms. Official statistics identified peak grass pollen burden for Berlin and the Eastern part of Germany during the study campaign.