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Atmosphere
Special Issues
Pollen Monitoring and Health Risks
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Pollen Monitoring and Health Risks

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Air Quality and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 3587

Editor

Dr. Katharina Bastl

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Interests: forecasting; pollen; pollen allergy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pollen monitoring provides relevant health data. In the light of rising allergy rates, pollen monitoring is becoming important to an increasing number of people. However, pollen monitoring is not implemented in the same way and frequency across the globe; therefore, pollen measurement technology requires improvement. This Special Issue aims to reflect developments of pollen monitoring devices and present health-relevant pollen datasets and their importance for human health.

Pollen monitoring is essential for assessing health risks of pollen allergies in asthmatic patients. Therefore, we invite the submission of studies discussing developments in the field of pollen forecasts (based on the pollen monitoring process).

The following are topics of interest for this Special Issue:

  • From old to new: ranging from classic volumetric pollen traps to automated pollen monitoring techniques, which use image recognition or pollen spectra via laser detection.
  • From recent to historic: ranging from current data to last-year and decade-long datasets.
  • From local to nationwide: ranging from single-station results to whole-network results.
  • From observational to clinical: ranging from results that will have an impact on pollen allergies to relevant medical data.
  • From near to far: any place across the globe where pollen monitoring is performed.

Studies exploring all aspects of pollen monitoring and health risks are welcome for submission.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Katharina Bastl
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Atmosphere is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pollen monitoring
  • pollen data
  • pollen measurements
  • health
  • exposure risk
  • pollen allergy

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3868 KB  
Article
Seasonal Trends in Major Pollen Allergens in East Anglia, UK, Ipswich Site, with Comparison to Other UK Regions
by Janette Bartle and Beverley Adams-Groom
Atmosphere 2026, 17(3), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17030319 - 20 Mar 2026
Viewed by 791
Abstract
Grass and birch pollen are major allergens in the United Kingdom (UK), responsible for seasonal respiratory diseases between late March and July. East Anglia is an under-represented region in pollen allergy research, while patterns of continuous days of high pollen levels have not [...] Read more.
Grass and birch pollen are major allergens in the United Kingdom (UK), responsible for seasonal respiratory diseases between late March and July. East Anglia is an under-represented region in pollen allergy research, while patterns of continuous days of high pollen levels have not been studied at all. Analysis of pollen statistics and trends in East Anglia addresses a regional gap for pollen exposure in the UK and assesses the intensity of the exposure. Trends and statistics for start, end, length, first high day (FH), number of high days (NH), seasonal pollen integral (SPIn) and number of high days occurring in a run together were presented. Birch pollen occurred from late March to late April, with little indication that onset, end or duration were changing temporally. Severity (SPIn) and the number of days in a run together have increased, in line with severity trends in nearby regions. Grass pollen occurred from late May until the third week in July, with almost no indication of changing trends in this region, apart from a likely earlier first high day. These results inform clinicians that the information and advice on when to treat hay fever symptoms and for how long should not change at the present time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pollen Monitoring and Health Risks)
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18 pages, 3077 KB  
Article
Atmospheric Pollen Monitoring and Bayesian Network Analysis Identify Bet v 1 and Cross-Reactive Cry j 1 as Dominant Tree Allergens in Ukraine
by Maryna Yasniuk, Victoria Rodinkova, Vitalii Mokin, Yevhenii Kryzhanovskyi, Mariia Kryvopustova, Roman Kish and Serhii Yuriev
Atmosphere 2026, 17(2), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17020128 - 26 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1126
Abstract
Tree pollen allergies are influenced by regional atmospheric pollen concentrations and flora distribution. Climate change and urban landscaping have altered airborne pollen profiles in Ukraine, potentially affecting sensitization patterns. We examined 7518 patients (57.63% children) sensitized to at least one of 26 molecular [...] Read more.
Tree pollen allergies are influenced by regional atmospheric pollen concentrations and flora distribution. Climate change and urban landscaping have altered airborne pollen profiles in Ukraine, potentially affecting sensitization patterns. We examined 7518 patients (57.63% children) sensitized to at least one of 26 molecular components from 19 tree species using ALEX testing (2020–2022). Atmospheric pollen data from Ukrainian aerobiology stations were integrated with clinical data. Regional sensitization was mapped using the Geographic Information System, and Bayesian network modeling determined hierarchical relationships. Sensitization to Cry j 1 (46.01%), Bet v 1 (41.67%), and Fag s 1 (34.38%) dominated across age groups. High Fagales sensitization correlated with elevated atmospheric Betula, Alnus, and Corylus pollen concentrations, confirming environmental exposure-sensitization relationships. Bayesian modeling identified Bet v 1 as the root allergen (89.43% accuracy) driving cascading sensitization to other Fagales and non-Fagales allergens. Unexpectedly high Cry j 1 sensitization despite minimal atmospheric Cryptomeria presence suggests Thuja and Ambrosia cross-reactivity. Fagales sensitization dominated 10 of 17 regions, correlating with forest geography and urban landscaping. This study validates aerobiological monitoring’s clinical relevance. Diagnostic protocols should prioritize Bet v 1 while interpreting Cry j 1 positivity as potential cross-reactivity. Climate-driven shifts in atmospheric pollen patterns require ongoing coordinated aerobiological and clinical surveillance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pollen Monitoring and Health Risks)
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Review

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15 pages, 297 KB  
Review
Pollen Monitoring and Current Techniques in Aerobiology: An Update
by Maximilian Bastl, Karen Koelzer and Katharina Bastl
Atmosphere 2026, 17(5), 505; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17050505 - 15 May 2026
Viewed by 326
Abstract
Pollen monitoring is an integral part of aerobiology. The analysis of pollen content in the air, which is its core routine work, requires reliable devices. The continuous evolution of technology prompted us to give an update on current techniques used in pollen monitoring [...] Read more.
Pollen monitoring is an integral part of aerobiology. The analysis of pollen content in the air, which is its core routine work, requires reliable devices. The continuous evolution of technology prompted us to give an update on current techniques used in pollen monitoring to provide a historical overview and an outlook into the future. Standard works in aerobiology and the most important literature were incorporated to summarize the development of pollen monitoring technology. We span a range from the first description of pollen monitoring in the 1870s, the invention of simple devices by early researchers, onwards to the development of the first volumetric samplers, such as the Rotorod- or Hirst-type traps. While volumetric devices are widely used in the USA and in Europe today, automatic and near-real-time pollen monitoring play an increasing role and offer new possibilities. In contrast to volumetric methods, most of these still require validation and standardization. Other methods, like the analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) and the modeling of historical pollen data for pollination forecasts, are outlined. Aerobiology and pollen monitoring will continue to benefit from technological advances and be re-shaped in the next decades. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pollen Monitoring and Health Risks)

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

12 pages, 3070 KB  
Technical Note
Pollen Season Timing and Concentrations in the United States: Developing a Standardized Pollen Dataset Using Data from the National Allergy Bureau (NAB) (2003–2024)
by Arie P. Manangan, Claudia L. Brown, Angela K. Werner, Daniel S. W. Katz, Andrew Rorie, Dayne Voelker, Pamela Gabrish, Jeremy J. Hess and Paul J. Schramm
Atmosphere 2026, 17(7), 635; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17070635 - 27 Jun 2026
Viewed by 288
Abstract
Pollen exposure drives allergic disease in millions of Americans, yet no standardized, publicly available national pollen dataset has existed until now. We describe the first nationally standardized and publicly available dataset of pollen season timing and airborne pollen concentrations. The data were derived [...] Read more.
Pollen exposure drives allergic disease in millions of Americans, yet no standardized, publicly available national pollen dataset has existed until now. We describe the first nationally standardized and publicly available dataset of pollen season timing and airborne pollen concentrations. The data were derived from the National Allergy Bureau™ (NAB™), the only pollen and mold measuring network in the United States certified by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), and curated, processed, and disseminated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The 2003–2024 dataset provides standardized measures of (1) taxa-specific historical average main pollen season (MPS) concentrations and timing (e.g., start dates, peak dates, end dates, season length); (2) taxa-specific yearly MPS concentrations and timing; (3) grouped weekly MPS concentrations, levels, and timing; and (4) grouped daily pollen levels and MPS timing. Pollen concentrations are reported as pollen grains per cubic meter (PPCM). MPS timing is computed using a 3-day consecutive method: season start occurs after the first occurrence of three consecutive days with concentrations > 1.0 PPCM; season peak is the day of maximum concentration; and season end occurs after the first occurrence of three consecutive days with concentrations < 1.0 PPCM after the peak. Historical average timing is calculated in a 365-day-of-year format and converted to calendar dates using 2024 as a reference year for display and consistency. By combining long-term data from monitoring sites across the country, this dataset shows how pollen levels vary over time and across geographic locations. This resource supports tracking pollen trends, linking pollen with weather and climate factors, and informing public health action, clinical care, and communication about population exposure and the impact to allergic diseases such as asthma and hay fever. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pollen Monitoring and Health Risks)
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9 pages, 440 KB  
Brief Report
Trends in the 10-Year Record of Airborne Cryptomeria japonica Pollen Concentrations in Jeju, Korea
by Young Jong Han, Mae Ja Han, Seungbum Kim, Jae-Won Oh and Kyu Rang Kim
Atmosphere 2026, 17(6), 618; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17060618 - 19 Jun 2026
Viewed by 272
Abstract
Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedar) is extensively planted as windbreaks in Jeju, Korea, producing highly allergenic pollen that significantly affects local populations. This study analyzed 10-year trends of airborne C. japonica pollen concentrations and their relationship with meteorological factors in Jeju to provide essential [...] Read more.
Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedar) is extensively planted as windbreaks in Jeju, Korea, producing highly allergenic pollen that significantly affects local populations. This study analyzed 10-year trends of airborne C. japonica pollen concentrations and their relationship with meteorological factors in Jeju to provide essential data for allergy management and climate adaptation strategies. Daily airborne pollen sampling was conducted using Burkard traps from 2015 to 2024 at a monitoring site in Jeju. Meteorological data, including temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, precipitation, solar radiation, and cloud amount, were obtained from the Korea Meteorological Administration. Temporal trends were analyzed using linear regression and the Mann–Kendall test, while correlations between pollen parameters and meteorological variables were calculated using Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Over the 10-year period, annual pollen integral (APIn) and peak concentrations showed statistically significant increasing trends. Pollen season start dates demonstrated a tendency toward earlier occurrence. Season onset was strongly negatively correlated with pre-season temperatures in January and February. January solar radiation showed positive correlations with both season end and period duration. C. japonica pollen concentrations in Jeju demonstrate significant increasing trends with earlier seasonal onset, primarily driven by pre-season warming in January and February. These changes may lead to prolonged allergen exposure periods, necessitating enhanced public health preparedness and adaptation of clinical management strategies for allergic populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pollen Monitoring and Health Risks)
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