Abstract
An analysis of hazel pollen seasons in Sosnowiec was presented on the basis of data from the years 1997-2007. The research was conducted by means of the volumetric method using a Burkard-type spore trap. The duration of pollen seasons was determined by means of the 98% method. The research demonstrated statistically significant correlations between the average, maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity as well as the number of days with sub-zero temperature and the beginning of the hazel pollen season. It was demonstrated that the duration of the pollen season depended on air relative humidity, insolation and precipitation during the season and the annual sum depended on the weather conditions of the year preceding pollen production and also the weather conditions two years earlier. Significant correlations were also found between weather conditions and the daily concentration of pollen grains. The daily concentration decreased when relative humidity was high and increased with high insolation and air temperature.
Highlights
Hazel belongs to a group of early blossoming trees
Hazel pollen allergy is often accompanied by hypersensitivity to alder and birch pollen allergens as well as allergic symptoms appear after consumption of hazel nuts
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the impact of meteorological conditions on the dates of the beginning and end of pollen seasons, their duration, annual sums and the daily concentration of hazel pollen grains in Sosnowiec over 11 years
Summary
Hazel belongs to a group of early blossoming trees. In Poland one species grows in the wild, that is, the Common Hazel (Corylus avellana). Hazel pollen grains, apart from birch and alder, are the most common cause of pollinosis (Hofman and Michalik , 1998). It is assumed that the first symptoms of pollinosis appear at a concentration of 35 grains per cubic metre of air (Rapiejko et al 2004). Hazel pollen contains strong allergens, but it does not cause severe allergic symptoms, because the pollen concentration in Poland’s urbanized areas does not usually exceed medium values (usually 20-30 grains per 1 cubic metre of air). Hazel pollen allergy is often accompanied by hypersensitivity to alder and birch pollen allergens as well as allergic symptoms appear after consumption of hazel nuts
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