title: The medical and scientific responsibility of pollen information services.
abstract: Pollen information as such is highly valuable and was considered so far as a self-evident good free for the public. The foundation for reliable and serious pollen information is the careful, scientific evaluation of pollen content in the air. However, it is essential to state and define now the requirements for pollen data and qualifications needed for institutions working with pollen data in the light of technical developments such as automated pollen counting and various political interests in aerobiology including attempts to finally acknowledge pollen and spores as relevant biological particles in the air worth being considered for pollution and health directives. It has to be emphasized that inadequate pollen forecasts are a considerable health risk for pollen allergy sufferers. Therefore, the responsibility of institutions involved in pollen monitoring and forecasting is high and should be substantiated with respective qualifications and know-how. We suggest here for the first time a portfolio of quality criteria and demand rigorous scientific monitoring and certification of such institutions in the interest and for the protection of persons affected by a pollen allergy.
authors.affiliation: Forschungsgruppe Aerobiologie und Polleninformation, HNO-Klinik, Medizinische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria. katharina.bastl@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bastl
authors.affiliation: Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.affiliation: Stiftung Deutscher Polleninformationsdienst.
authors.forename: Karl-Christian
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Bergmann
authors.affiliation: Forschungsgruppe Aerobiologie und Polleninformation, HNO-Klinik, Medizinische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kmenta
authors.affiliation: Forschungsgruppe Aerobiologie und Polleninformation, HNO-Klinik, Medizinische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Berger
mesh_terms: D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000592:standards*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000592:standards*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D011058:Pollen; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000592:standards; D012586:Science / Q000592:standards
keywords: Patient’s hayfever diary; Pollen allergy; Pollen data; Pollen information services; Pollen measurements