Aerobiology Unit
Aerobiology studies airborne particles of biological origin, for example seeds, spores, microbes and their metabolic compounds, allergenic proteins and pollen grains, focusing on their health implications.
The Pollen Report
Our main task is to produce and distribute information about airborne pollen and spores in Finland. Continuous monitoring of airborne pollen has been done since 1976. Today there are nine pollen monitoring sites belonging to the European Aeroallergen Network EAN, which collects pollen information from more than 650 monitoring sites around Europe (www.polleninfo.org).
Pollen sampling is carried out with an automatic air sampler throughout the pollen season. The air intake is 10 litres / minute. Airborne particles are trapped on a sticky tape attached to a clock work which rotates itself at a rate of 2 mm / hour, and the bi-hourly particle content in the air can be calculated via microscopic analysis of the tape. All samples are analysed in Turku, except those from the Helsinki, Skin and Allergy Hospital and from Imatra by Institute of Allergy and Environment in Lappeenranta. Pollen and spore reports are distributed on weekdays during the pollen season, usually from early March to early September. The pollen reports can be followed e.g. in various newspapers, TV and radio stations.
All pollen types on the tapes are counted via microscopic analysis, but only about 10 pollen types are allergenically significant. The pollen concentrations are calculated using the Mäkinen (1981) random sampling method. Threshold values are applied to different allergenic pollen types. In pollen reports the concentrations are described as low, moderate or high: generally the low concentrations provoke symptoms only in the most sensitive allergics, whereas most allergics can experience symptoms when the concentrations are moderate or high.
The most important allergy plant groups in Finland are birch and the grasses. Read the pollen report.
The Pollen Diary: new service for allergics
The Pollen Diary is a web-based symptom diary free of charge. The users can look at the computer-drawn charts to compare allergic symptoms with measured pollen counts, estimate personal sensitivity level and discuss treatment options with their physicians. Researchers’ goal is to collect symptom information in order to compare regional differences in symptom threshold values, to specify the thresholds for different plants and to develop pollen reports. Registering to use the pollen diary is free of charge and users remain anonymous. The only requirement is a valid email address. The Pollen Diary can be accessed at: www.pollendiary.com
Photo archives of University of Turku, Hanna Oksanen, 2010
Chargeable services
Pollen calendars and information about pollen concentrations can be ordered for research and marketing purposes.
Indoor air.
Microbial growth in moisture damaged buildings can have serious health implications. Aerobiology Unit performs analysis of air samples, dust and building materials for mould and bacteria concentrations, fungal toxins and various animal, pollen and fungal allergens. Pollen calendars and information about pollen concentrations are available for research purposes.
More information on chargeable services.
Research and training
The major fields of research are development of immunochemical detection methods for bioaerosols and the modelling and forecasting of pollen seasons. Microbial DNA detection methods are developed to be used in the future.
Joint Projects and Recent Publications
The Aerobiology Unit arranges training for pollen analysts and people working on moisture damaged buildings. The Unit has organised both European and Nordic aerobiology symposia and meetings.