Airborne Betula, poaceae, and Ambrosia Artemisiifolia pollen and allergen exposure: a comparative study of urban and rural environments

Abstract Background There is a distinct pattern in pollen dispersal between urban and rural environments, but the pattern of allergen concentration has not been studied so far. Methods We studied the pollen and allergen levels of three important aeroallergens ( Betula , Poaceae and Ambrosia ) in the urban area of Bratislava and a nearby rural area of Kaplna (Slovakia), their diurnal variation and the influence of meteorological factors during two pollen seasons. Results In the urban area, we found the pollen season more intense regarding both pollen and allergen levels for Betula and Poaceae, possibly due to differences in the distribution of Betula and the spectrum of Poaceae species. A shift towards an earlier peak of diurnal variability of Poaceae pollen was also observed in the urban environment, which is explainable by different microclimatic conditions. However, there was no significant variation in Ambrosia pollen and allergen levels and diurnal variation between the two areas, since this species is widespread and flowers during a period when the microclimatic conditions are more even. Conclusion The findings of this study highlight the need to consider the urban-rural differences and their influence on different plant taxa when assessing public health risks from airborne allergens.