title: Atmospheric pollen count in Monterrey, Mexico.
abstract: There are few reports of pollen count and identification in Mexico; therefore, it is important to generate more information on the subject. This study was designed to describe the prevalence of pollen in the city of Monterrey, Mexico, during the year 2004. Atmospheric pollen was collected with a Hirst air sampler, with an airflow of 10 L/minute during 2004. Pollen was identified with light microscopy; the average monthly pollen count as well as total was calculated from January 2004 to January 2005. The months with the highest concentration of pollen were February and March (289 and 142 grains/m(3) per day, respectively), and July and November had the lowest concentration (20 and 11 grains/m(3) per day, respectively). Most of the pollen recollected corresponded to tree pollen (72%). Fraxinus spp had the highest concentration during the year (19 grains/m(3) per day; 27.5% of the total concentration of pollen). Tree pollen predominated from January through March; with Fraxinus spp, Morus spp, Celtis spp, Cupressus spp, and Pinus spp as the most important. Weed pollen predominated in May, June, and December and the most frequently identified, were Amaranthaceae/Chenopodiaceae, Ambrosia spp, and Parietaria spp. The highest concentration of grass pollen was reported during the months of May, June, September, October, and December with Gramineae/Poaceae predominating. Tree pollen was the most abundant during the year, with the ash tree having the highest concentration. Weed and grass pollen were perennial with peaks during the year.
authors.affiliation: Centro Regional de Alergias e Inmunología Clínica, Nuevo León University Hospital Dr. José E. González, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo, Leon, Mitras Centro, Monterrey, Nuevo León 64460, Mexico. sandragcraic@gmail.com
authors.forename: Sandra N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: González-Díaz
authors.forename: Pablo G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Ortiz
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arias-Cruz
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Macías-Weinmann
authors.forename: Dagoberto
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cid-Guerrero
authors.forename: Giovanni A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Sedo-Mejia
mesh_terms: D000388:Air / Q000032:analysis*; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico; D006109:Poaceae; D011058:Pollen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012621:Seasons; D014197:Trees
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens