title: Thirty-year survey on airborne pollen concentrations in Genoa, Italy: relationship with sensitizations, meteorological data, and air pollution.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pollen allergy represents a relevant health issue. Betulaceae sensitization significantly increased in Genoa, Italy, in the last decades. This study investigated possible relationships among pollen count, meteorological changes, air pollution, and sensitizations  in this city during a 30-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Betulaceae, Urticaceae, Gramineae, and Oleaceae pollen counts were measured from 1981 to 2010 in Genoa. Sensitization to these pollens was also considered in large populations of allergic patients. Meteorological parameters  and pollutants were also measured in the same area.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Betulaceae sensitization increased over time. All pollen species significantly increased over this time. Pollen season advanced for Betulaceae and Urticaceae. Only Urticaceae season significantly increased. Temperature  increased while rainfall decreased over the time. Pollutants significantly decreased. There were some relationships between pollen changes and climatic and air pollution parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This 30-year study conducted in an urbanized area provided evidence that Betulaceae  sensitization significantly increased, pollen load significantly augmented, and climate and air pollution changed with a possible influence on pollen release.
authors.affiliation: Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Arsenio Corrado
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Negrini
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Negrini
authors.forename: Vania
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Giunta
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Quaglini
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciprandi
mesh_terms: D000388:Air / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D029401:Betulaceae / Q000009:adverse effects; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008685:Meteorological Concepts; D029592:Oleaceae / Q000009:adverse effects; D006109:Poaceae / Q000009:adverse effects; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors; D027003:Urticaceae / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens