High Levels of Allergenic Tree Pollen in Southern New Zealand by Rewi M Newnham in BJSTR
Abstract
Tree Pollen are significant sources of clinically relevant outdoor
aeroallergens, a major cause of allergic respiratory diseases, yet
little
is known about their prevalence in New Zealand. This study reports
concentrations of airborne allergenic tree pollen measured in central
Dunedin during October and November 1992. Four tree pollen taxa were
prominent during these spring months, all from introduced species.
Of these, Fraxinus (ash) and Pinus (pine) are not considered to be important aeroallergens, but Betula (birch) and Cupressus
(cypress) have
reported high allergenic potency in other regions. These results
indicate that allergenic tree pollen of birch and cypress can reach
significantly
high levels in Dunedin during spring, often in association with strong
northwesterly winds. It is likely that tree pollen and in particular
birch
and cypress are making an important contribution to the total pollen
allergen load and to the increasing prevalence of allergic rhinitis and
asthma in New Zealand. More 1comprehensive and up-to-date information on
allergenic pollen levels is needed to help understand the growing
prevalence of respiratory disorder in New Zealand
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