Birch Pollen Season in Southern Poland in 2017

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Birch pollen season in southern Poland in 2017

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Małgorzata Malkiewicz1, Agnieszka Lipiec2, Katarzyna Dąbrowska-Zapart3, Kazimiera Chłopek3, Monika Ziemianin4, Krystyna Piotrowska-Weryszko5, Elżbieta Weryszko-Chmielewska6, Adam Rapiejko7,8, Dariusz Jurkiewicz9, Piotr Rapiejko9 1 Laboratory of Paleobotany, Department of Stratigraphical Geology, Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Wroclaw, Poland 2 Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland 3 Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Sosnowiec, Poland 4 Department of Clinical and Environmental Allergology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland 5 Department of General Ecology, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland 6 Department of Botany, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland 7 Oxford Archaeology Ltd., Oxford, England 8 Allergen Research Center Ltd., Warsaw, Poland 9 Department of Otolaryngology with Division of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery in Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland

Abstract: This paper presents the course of the pollen season of birch in Zielona Gora, Wroclaw, Opole, Sosnowiec, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Warsaw, CracowFor and Lublin in non-2017. Measurements were performed by the volumetric method (Burkard and Lanzoni pollen samplers). Pollen season was defined as the period in which 98% of the annual total catch occurred. Pollen season of birch in 2017 started more than 4–5 days earlier in comparison to 2016. The earliest onset of the birch pollen season was recorded in Zielona Gora, Wroclaw, Opole and Warsaw – 31st March. The highest daily pollen count was recorded in Wroclaw – 2028 P/m3 (1st April).

Key words: aeroallergens,commercial pollen count, birch (Betula), 2017 use only

irch pollen, next to alder and hazel pollen, is The threshold concentration of birch pollen a very common cause of pollinosis in Central causing the first allergy symptoms has been established B and Northern Europe [1, 2]. Birch is wind-pol- for Poland at 20 P/m3 [5, 6]. At a concentration of 75 P/ linated and produce large amounts of light pollen. The m3 all individuals allergic to birch pollen suffer from production of the pollen from a single flower may pollinosis, and at a concentration exceeding 155 P/m3, amount above 20 thousand grains. Small and light symptoms of dyspnoea can be observed in allergic pa- pollen grains enable their wide dispersal. An average tients. border of dispersion of birch pollen amounts almost 120 km [3]. The birch pollen season is a compact and Aim dynamic one. In many cities of Poland it starts with the The aim of the study was to compare the birch beginning of April, although the maximum concentra- pollen concentration in the air of selected cities in so- tion appears in second half of this month [4]. uthern Poland: Zielona Gora, Wroclaw, Opole, So-

118 Received: 2017.09.14 Alergoprofil 2017, Vol. 13, Nr 3, 118-123 Accepted: 2017.09.20 DOI: 10.24292/01.ap.200917 “Copyright by Medical© Education” Medical Education. For private and non-commercial use only. Downloaded from https://www.journalsmededu.pl/index.php/alergoprofil: 04.11.2020; 13:13,50 Medical aerobiology Original paper

snowiec, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Warsaw, Cracow and in 2017 indicates that the season began 4–5 days earlier Lublin in 2017. than in the 2016 [7]. In majority of the analysed cities the highest birch pollen concentrations were detected in the first Material and method decade of April (1st–5th April) and on 10th April in In 2017, the measurements of the pollen con- Warsaw and Piotrkow Trybunalski. The highest daily centration in the study sites were performed with the pollen count was recorded in Wroclaw – 2028 P/m3. In volumetric method using Burkard and Lanzoni pollen other cities the maximum concentrations ranged from samplers. Microscopic observations were performed 1070 P/m3 in Sosnowiec to 1854 P/m3 in Piotrkow Try- on preparations obtained in a 7-day cycle with assess- bunalski (fig. 2, 4, 5), although in Cracow, only 697 P/ ment of 24-hour periods. The length of the birch pollen m3 (fig. 7). Comparing to 2016 the maximum concentra- seasons was determined with the 98% method. Pollen tions of birch pollen in 2017 were very low. In Wroclaw, concentrations were expressed as the number of pollen Opole and Zielona Gora this parameter was 1,5–2 times grains in 1 m3 of air per day (P/m3). The course of lower, in Sosnowiec and Lublin were 3–4 times lower the pollen seasons in each city is shown in the graphs and in Cracow up to 6 times lower [7]. It is worth noting (fig. 1–8). that in 6 cities (Wroclaw, Zielona Gora, Opole, Sosno- wiec, Cracow and Lublin) the maximum birch pollen concentration was recorded on days 1–4 after the begin- Results and discussion ning of season (fig. 1–4, 7, 8) and in Warsaw and Piotr- In 2017, the pollen season of birch determined kow Trybunalski on days 9–10 (fig. 5, 6). using the 98% method, started in the second half of The highest annual pollen sum of birch pollen March and at the beginning of April (tab. 1). grains (SPI) were recorded in Zielona Gora – 11 303 The dates of the beginning of birch pollen and Wroclaw – 10 338. They were similarly high in season in the analysed cities in Southern Poland were Piotrkow Trybunalski and Opole (above 9300). In other very similar. The earliest onset of the birch pollen cities SPI ranged between 3858 in Sosnowiec to 8899 season was recorded in Zielona Gora, Wroclaw, Opole in Warsaw (tab. 1). In 2017, the total annual pollen sum and Warsaw – 31st March (tab. 1). The latest the birch was nearly 2–5-fold lower than in 2016 [7]. pollen seasonFor has began wasnon- on 2nd April (Lublin). The The number of days with a concentration equal comparison of the beginning of the birch pollen season or higher than 20 P/m3 was 32 in Lublin, 25–28 in

Table 1. Characteristicscommercial of birch pollen season in 2017. use only Pollen season period by Maximum pollen count Annual pollen Days number above Days number above Site the 98% method (P/m3) and date sum threshold 20 P/m3 threshold 75 P/m3

Zielona Gora 31.03–2.05 1785 11 303 28 19 1.04

Wroclaw 31.03–9.05 2028 10 338 23 16 1.04

Opole 31.03–8.05 1786 9377 26 17 2.04

Sosnowiec 1.04–15.05 1070 3858 23 12 5.04

Piotrkow 1.04–8.05 1854 9549 26 20 Trybunalski 10.04

Warsaw 31.03–26.04 1563 8899 25 17 10.04

Cracow 1.04–9.05 697 4845 21 12 5.04

Lublin 2.04–22.05 1552 8762 32 16 5.04

M. Malkiewicz, A. Lipiec, K. Dąbrowska-Zapart, K. Chłopek, M. Ziemianin, K. Piotrowska-Weryszko, E. Weryszko-Chmielewska, Alergoprofil 119 A. Rapiejko, D. Jurkiewicz, P. Rapiejko: Birch pollen season in southern Poland in 2017 2017, Vol. 13, Nr 3, 118-123 © Medical Education. For private and non-commercial use only. Downloaded from https://www.journalsmededu.pl/index.php/alergoprofil: 04.11.2020; 13:13,50 Medical aerobiology Original paper

Figure 1. Birch pollen count in Zielona Gora in 2017. 2000

1800

1600

1400 ) ) 3 3 1200 /m 1000 llen (P Pollen (P/m Pollen Po 800

600

400

200

0 17-03-26 17-03-29 17-04-01 17-04-04 17-04-07 17-04-10 17-04-13 17-04-16 17-04-19 17-04-22 17-04-25 17-04-28 17-05-01 17-05-04 17-05-07 17-05-10 17-05-13 17-05-16 17-05-19 17-05-22 17-05-25 17-05-28 17-05-31 17-06-03 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

Figure 2. Birch pollen count in Wroclaw in 2017. 2500

2000 ) ) ) 3 3 3

m 1500 /m P/

llen (P 1000 Pollen ( Pollen (P/m Pollen ForPo non-

500

0 2 3 commercial1 use only 17-04-15 17-04-18 17-04-21 17-04-24 17-04-27 17-04-30 17-05-03 17-05-06 17-05-09 17-05-12 17-05-15 17-05-18 17-05-21 17-05-24 17-05-27 17-05-30 17-06-02 17-06-05 17-04-1 17-04-06 17-04-09 17-04-0 17-03-25 17-03-28 17-03-3 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

Figure 3. Birch pollen count in Opole in 2017. 2000 1800 1600 1400 ) ) ) 3 3 3

m 1200 /m P/ 1000

llen (P 800 Pollen ( Po Pollen (P/m Pollen 600 400 200 0 17-05-30 17-06-02 17-06-05 17-05-24 17-05-27 17-05-18 17-05-21 17-05-12 17-05-15 17-05-06 17-05-09 17-03-25 17-03-28 17-03-31 17-04-03 17-04-06 17-04-09 17-04-12 17-04-15 17-04-18 17-04-21 17-04-24 17-04-27 17-04-30 17-05-03 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

120 Alergoprofil M. Malkiewicz, A. Lipiec, K. Dąbrowska-Zapart, K. Chłopek, M. Ziemianin, K. Piotrowska-Weryszko, E. Weryszko-Chmielewska, 2017, Vol. 13, Nr 3, 118-123 A. Rapiejko, D. Jurkiewicz, P. Rapiejko: Birch pollen season in southern Poland in 2017 © Medical Education. For private and non-commercial use only. Downloaded from https://www.journalsmededu.pl/index.php/alergoprofil: 04.11.2020; 13:13,50 Medical aerobiology Original paper

Figure 4. Birch pollen count in Sosnowiec in 2017. 1200

1000

800 ) ) ) 3 3 3 m /m P/ 600 llen (P Pollen ( Pollen (P/m Pollen Po 400

200

0 5 1 3 6 9 2 5 8 17-06-05 17-03-2 17-03-28 17-03-3 17-04-0 17-04-0 17-04-0 17-04-1 17-04-1 17-04-1 17-04-21 17-04-24 17-04-27 17-04-30 17-05-03 17-05-06 17-05-09 17-05-12 17-05-15 17-05-18 17-05-21 17-05-24 17-05-27 17-05-30 17-06-02 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

Figure 5. Birch pollen count in Piotrkow Trybunalski in 2017. 2000 1800 1600 1400 ) 3 ) ) 3 3

m 1200 /m P/ 1000

llen (P 800 Pollen ( Po For (P/m Pollen non- 600 400 200 0 8 5 6 8 commercial5 use only 17-04-21 17-04-24 17-04-27 17-04-30 17-05-03 17-05-06 17-05-09 17-05-12 17-05-15 17-05-18 17-05-21 17-05-24 17-05-27 17-05-30 17-06-02 17-06-05 17-04-1 17-04-09 17-04-12 17-04-1 17-03-31 17-04-03 17-04-0 17-03-2 17-03-2 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

Figure 6. Birch pollen count in Warsaw in 2017. 1800 1600 1400 ) ) ) 1200 3 3 3 m /m 1000 P/ 800 llen (P Pollen (P/m Pollen Po Pollen ( 600 400 200 0 1 9 2 17-03-25 17-03-28 17-03-3 17-04-03 17-04-06 17-04-0 17-04-1 17-04-15 17-04-18 17-04-21 17-04-24 17-04-27 17-04-30 17-05-03 17-05-06 17-05-09 17-05-12 17-05-15 17-05-18 17-05-21 17-05-24 17-05-27 17-05-30 17-06-02 17-06-05 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

M. Malkiewicz, A. Lipiec, K. Dąbrowska-Zapart, K. Chłopek, M. Ziemianin, K. Piotrowska-Weryszko, E. Weryszko-Chmielewska, Alergoprofil 121 A. Rapiejko, D. Jurkiewicz, P. Rapiejko: Birch pollen season in southern Poland in 2017 2017, Vol. 13, Nr 3, 118-123 © Medical Education. For private and non-commercial use only. Downloaded from https://www.journalsmededu.pl/index.php/alergoprofil: 04.11.2020; 13:13,50 Medical aerobiology Original paper

Figure 7. Birch pollen count in Cracow in 2017. 800

700

600 ) ) ) 3 3 3 500 m /m P/ 400 llen (P Po Pollen (P/m Pollen Pollen ( 300

200

100

0 1 17-03-25 17-03-28 17-03-3 17-04-03 17-04-06 17-04-09 17-04-12 17-04-15 17-04-18 17-04-21 17-04-24 17-04-27 17-04-30 17-05-03 17-05-06 17-05-09 17-05-12 17-05-15 17-05-18 17-05-21 17-05-24 17-05-27 17-05-30 17-06-02 17-06-05 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

Figure 8. Birch pollen count in Lublin in 2017. 1800

1600

1400

1200 ) ) 3 3 1000 /m 800

llen (P 600 Pollen (P/m Pollen Po For40 0 non- 200

0 8 6 9 3 17-04-21 17-04-24 17-04-27 17-04-30 17-05-03 17-05-06 17-05-09 17-05-12 17-05-15 17-05-18 17-05-21 17-05-24 17-05-27 17-05-30 17-06-02 17-06-05 17-04-0 17-04-0 17-04-12 17-04-15 17-04-1 17-03-25 17-03-28 17-03-31 17-04-0 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 commercial20 20 20 20 use only

Warsaw, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Opole and Zielona April (1–5.04). The highest daily pollen count was re- Gora, 21–23 in Cracow, Sosnowiec and Wroclaw. In corded in Wroclaw – 2028 P/m3. the analysed cities the threshold value of 75 P/m3 (con- In most cities birch pollen season was long and centration causing severe clinical symptoms) [5, 6] was lasted an average of 39 days. exceeded for 12–20 days.

Conclusions References: In 2017, the birch pollen season in the cities in 1. Wihl JA, Ipsen B, Nuchel PB et al. Immunotherapy with par- Southern Poland started about 4–5 days earlier com- tially purified and standardized tree pollen extracts. Allergy pared to 2016. The earliest onset of the birch pollen 1998, 43: 363-369. season was recorded in Zielona Gora, Wroclaw, Opole 2. Emberlin J, Detandt M, Gehrig R et al. Responses in the start and Warsaw – 31st March. of Betula (birch) pollen seasons to recent changes in spring The end of the birch pollen season was noted in temperatures across Europe. Int J Biometeorol 2002, 46: the first and second part of May (2–22.05). 159-170. The maximum concentrations of birch pollen in 3. Rapiejko P. Alergeny pyłku roślin. Medical Education, War- majority of the cities were noted in the beginning of szawa 2008.

122 Alergoprofil M. Malkiewicz, A. Lipiec, K. Dąbrowska-Zapart, K. Chłopek, M. Ziemianin, K. Piotrowska-Weryszko, E. Weryszko-Chmielewska, 2017, Vol. 13, Nr 3, 118-123 A. Rapiejko, D. Jurkiewicz, P. Rapiejko: Birch pollen season in southern Poland in 2017 © Medical Education. For private and non-commercial use only. Downloaded from https://www.journalsmededu.pl/index.php/alergoprofil: 04.11.2020; 13:13,50 Medical aerobiology Original paper

4. Weryszko-Chmielewska E (ed.). Pyłek roślin w aeroplankto- Conflict of interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. nie różnych regionów Polski. Wyd. Katedra i Zakład Farma- Financial support: kognozji Wydziału Farmaceutycznego AM, Lublin 2006. Research in Opole, Zielona Gora and Piotrkow Trybunalski funded by Allergen Research Center Ltd. (Ośrodek Badania Alergenów Środowiskowych Sp. z o.o.). 5. Rapiejko P, Lipiec A, Wojdas A, Jurkiewicz D. Threshold pol- Ethics: len concentration necessary to evoke allergic symptoms. Int The contents presented in this paper are compatible with the rules the Declaration of Helsin- ki, EU directives and standardized requirements for medical journals. Rev Allergol Clin 2004, 10(3): 91-94. 6. Rapiejko P, Stankiewicz W, Szczygielski K, Jurkiewicz D. Pro- gowe stężenia pyłku roślin niezbędne do wywołania objawów Corresponding author: alergicznych. Otolaryngol 2007, 61(4): 591-594. Małgorzata Malkiewicz 7. Weryszko-Chmielewska E, Piotrowska-Weryszko K, Haratym Laboratory of Paleobotany, W et al. Betula pollen season in southern Poland in 2016. Department of Stratigraphical Geology, Alergoprofil 2016, 12(2): 99-100. Institute of Geological Sciences,

Authors` contributions: University of Wroclaw Malkiewicz M: 55%; Lipiec A: 5%; Dąbrowska-Zapart K: 5%; Chłopek K: 5%; Ziemianin M: 50-205 Wrocław, ul. Cybulskiego 30 5%; Piotrowska-Weryszko K: 5%; Weryszko-Chmielewska E: 5%; Rapiejko A: 5%; Jurkie- wicz D: 5%; Rapiejko P: 5%. e-mail: [email protected]

For non- commercial use only

M. Malkiewicz, A. Lipiec, K. Dąbrowska-Zapart, K. Chłopek, M. Ziemianin, K. Piotrowska-Weryszko, E. Weryszko-Chmielewska, Alergoprofil 123 A. Rapiejko, D. Jurkiewicz, P. Rapiejko: Birch pollen season in southern Poland in 2017 2017, Vol. 13, Nr 3, 118-123 © Medical Education. For private and non-commercial use only. Downloaded from https://www.journalsmededu.pl/index.php/alergoprofil: 04.11.2020; 13:13,50