Exposure to pollen allergens in allergic rhinitis expressed by diurnal variation of airborne tree pollen in urban and rural area

Exposure to airborne pollen allergens results in allergic symptoms in subjects who are sensitized. The paper presents diurnal variation in the counts of airborne allergenic pollen of selected trees (Betula L., Alnus Mill., Corylus L., Fagus L. and Ulmus L.) in two localities differing in the degree of urbanization: the city of Szczecin (urban) and the village of Gudowo, West Pomerania in northwest Poland (rural) in the years 2012–2014. The measurements were made by the volumetric method using a Burkardtype sampler operating in a continuous mode. The greatest similarities in the beginning of the main pollen season between the two sites studied were observed for birch and elm trees, while in the length of the main pollen season, for birch and alder trees. Pollen counts of alder and hazel reached higher levels in the rural area, while the levels of ash tree pollen counts were higher in the urban area. The level of birch tree pollen counts was similar in the two sites studied. For the majority of taxons observed in the urban and rural areas the dynamics of hourly changes in tree pollen counts were similar. The pollination peak was noted in the daytime, usually in the afternoon. For ash and elm trees increased pollen counts were observed at nighttime, while the birch tree pollen counts were at a high level for most of the 24 h cycle. The knowledge of seasonal and diurnal variations in tree pollen counts is crucial for prevention in patients with allergic rhinitis, sensitized to tree pollen allergens.