Effects of Meteorological Factors and Air Pollution on Urban Pollen Concentrations

Abstract

The presence of biological particles and non-biological pollutants in the atmosphere is closely related to the incidence of adverse reactions affecting human health. The present study demonstrates different effects of ambient air pollution and meteorological factors on pollen concentration of selected taxa in the atmosphere. The investigation was carried out in Szczecin, Poland, between 2006 and 2008 using the volumetric method (Lanzoni VPPS, Italy) and an automatic weather station (Vaisala, Finland). Statistically significant correlations between pollen counts and air pollution, as well as weather parameters, were noted; the strongest correlation is with the mean air temperature. Statistical correlation between pollen concentration and air pollution factors was found to be a consequence of the relation between the latter and meteorological conditions.