Airborne pollen survey in Bangkok, Thailand: A 35-year update.
BACKGROUND
Pollen allergy is a growing global health issue. While airborne pollen counts are reported daily in several countries, such information is lacking in Thailand.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to survey airborne pollens at five sites in Bangkok, comparing data with the previous study performed 35 years ago in 1980.


METHODS
Sample collection was done using the ROTOROD® sampler by exposing the rods for one hour each day twice a week from May 2012-April 2013.


RESULTS
Overall, we found that the average pollen count was relatively high throughout the year, at an average of 242 grains/m3. The highest peak was found in September (700 grains/m3). Interestingly, we found that the pollen count was noticeably lower in 2012-2013 when compared to the 1980 study. We also observed the approximate shift of pollen peaks about one to two months earlier in the 2012-2013 study. However, the major groups of airborne pollens did not change significantly. Grass, sedge, amaranthus pollens and fern spores still dominated. The unidentified pollen group was the only group with a higher pollen count when compared to the previous study.
Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Wisuwat
W
Songnuan
Chaweewan
C
Bunnag
Kitipong
K
Soontrapa
Punchama
P
Pacharn
Unchalee
U
Wangthan
Umaporn
U
Siriwattanakul
Nat
N
Malainual
D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012621:Seasons; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014504:Urban Health