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Clearing the Air: A Retrospective Observational Study of Rainfall and Pollen Count Data in Oklahoma City, OK
AB122 Abstracts
381
Weed and Ragweed Season Has Significantly Lengthened In Central Indiana Over The Past Ten Years
SUNDAY
Hassan A. Ahmad, MD1, Frederick E. Leickly, MD, MPH2, Kirsten M. Kloepfer, MD MS1, James Slaven, MS1, and Girish Vitalpur, MD2; 1Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 2Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN. RATIONALE: Pollen counts are affected by temperature, precipitation and atmospheric CO2 levels. Global climate change models suggest that atmospheric CO2 levels will double by the end of the century. Ragweed pollen counts have been shown to increase in response to increased CO2. We examined whether changes in atmospheric CO2 were associated with changes in weed pollen counts in central Indiana over the past ten years. METHODS: Average atmospheric CO2 levels were obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. Weather data between the periods of 2003 to 2005 and 2013 to 2015 were obtained from the National Weather Service. Pollens were counted by two local allergists, and shared on different websites, for these time periods. From 20032005, Indianapolis pollen data was found on the National Allergy Bureau website. From 2013-2015, the pollen data was posted to a practice website. RESULTS: Over the past ten years, atmospheric CO2 levels significantly increased (median: 377 parts per million(ppm) in 2003-2005 versus 397ppm in 2013-2015; p<0.0001). Temperature and precipitation did not significantly change between these timeframes. Weed pollen season was significantly longer from 2013-2015 versus 2003-2005 (median: 145 days vs 51 days; p50.0495). There was no significant difference in average weed pollen counts between the two time periods. Ragweed pollen season was significantly longer from 2013-2015 versus 2003-2005 (median: 80 days vs 56 days; p50.0141). CONCLUSIONS: Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in atmospheric CO2, which has been associated with a significant increase in the length of weed pollen season in central Indiana.
382
Amaranthaceae Family Pollen Trends in Central Ukraine
Victoria Rodinkova1, O. Palamarchuk1, L. Kremenska1, O. Bilous1, I. Motruk1, and Lawrence M. DuBuske, MD, FAAAAI2,3; 1Vinnitsa National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnitsa, Ukraine, 2George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, 3Immunology Research Institute of New England, Gardner, MA. RATIONALE: While weed pollens from Ambrosia and Artemisiagenera are often assessed, other members of this group, the Amaranthaceae Family, including the Chenopodiaceae Family, are often overlooked in aerobiological analysis. METHODS: Pollen collection from 2009 to 2016 used volumetric methods employing a Burkard trap placed at a height of 25 meters above the ground on the roof of a Vinnitsa Medical University, Ukraine. Samples taken from March 1 until October 31 were analyzed by mean of three horizontal transects in years 2009-2011 and by mean of twelve vertical transects at a bi-hourly mode in years 2012-2016 under the light microscope with x400 magnification. RESULTS: Amaranthaceae pollen season lasted from mid-June until the end of September except in 2013 and 2014 beginning in mid- May with maximum pollen from early August to mid-September. Amaranth pollen appeared in early May 2016 associated with warmer weather. Maximal Amaranthaceae pollen grains occurred between 11 AM and 4 PM peaking at 1 PM. Amaranthaceae pollen constituted from 12% to 22% of the annual
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL FEBRUARY 2017
pollen rain of the weed groups recognized to be allergenic including Ambrosia, Artemisia,Asteraceae, and Amaranthaceae. CONCLUSIONS: Pollen of the Amaranthaceae Family is an important aeroallergen in Central Ukraine with early pollination recently associated with warmer climate.
383
Pollen Counting 1969-2016
Leonard Bielory, MD, FAAAAI1, and Jendayi Jones2; 1Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA, 2 University of Chicago, Clinton, NJ; University Asthma and Allergy Associates, Springfield, NJ. RATIONALE: High granularity of pollen counting sites is essential to document accurate data. We examined the fluctuations in the number and longevity of pollen counting sites in the United States over a 53-year period. METHODS: Locations and activity of pollen counting sites were collected from the records of the Pollen and Mold Committee of the Academy of Allergy and Immunology and the Aeroallergen Monitoring Network of the AAAAI from the years between 1963 and 2016. RESULTS: A total of 500 sites across 42 of the United States were recorded as active from 1963 - 2016. A single station never exceeded 26 years of total activity; average longevity was 4.3 years; 1971 was the most active year (n5132); 1988 was lowest station activity (n518) stations . Average number of active stations was ;65. The most new (stations that were not reporting the previous year) stations became active in 1971, with 48 new stations reporting, while the most stations were lost (became inactive from the previous year) in 1972, when 67 stations became inactive. On average ;20 new stations became active per year, and 17 were lost. In general there was no correlation between number of new sites and number of sites lost. CONCLUSIONS: Granularity of pollen counting sites has a direct impact on our ability to use pollen data in tandem with other measurements (temperature, humidity, etc). to assess the effects of macro and micro environmental changes on allergens and plants at large.
384
Clearing the Air: A Retrospective Observational Study of Rainfall and Pollen Count Data in Oklahoma City, OK
Brandon C. Humble, MD1, and Gregory M. Metz, MD2; 1LSUHSCShreveport, Shreveport, LA, 2Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic, Oklahoma City, OK. RATIONALE: It has been shown that rainfall clears the air of pollen. The authors intended to further investigate this by evaluating the effects of rainfall on Ambrosia counts. The Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma clinic undertook to provide an empirical examination of this hypothesis. METHODS: Rainfall data from wUnderground.com was compiled for 2014 and 2015 for Oklahoma City, OK. Over a two-year time frame, certified laboratory technicians gathered Ambrosia values. This data was then examined for correlation between rainfall and declining pollen counts. A Linear Regression within Excel was performed on each year’s rainfall as a graphed against subsequent decline in Pollen Count. RESULTS: Interpreting the Pearson’s correlation coefficient, in 2014 the data shows a large strength of association with R50.58. In 2015, the data shows a small strength of association with R50.17. This means the authors are reporting a nonzero, statistically significant association between rainfall and declining pollen counts. CONCLUSIONS: While 2014 showed strength of association that would support our hypothesis that rainfall reduces Ambrosia counts, 2015 had an association with a magnitude much smaller than expected. With the data presented in this way, it seems reasonable to assert a small, but significant association between rainfall and decreasing ambrosia counts. This data would add to the ability of physicians to council their patients concerning weather and its impact on Ambrosia allergy symptoms.
381
Weed and Ragweed Season Has Significantly Lengthened In Central Indiana Over The Past Ten Years
SUNDAY
Hassan A. Ahmad, MD1, Frederick E. Leickly, MD, MPH2, Kirsten M. Kloepfer, MD MS1, James Slaven, MS1, and Girish Vitalpur, MD2; 1Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 2Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN. RATIONALE: Pollen counts are affected by temperature, precipitation and atmospheric CO2 levels. Global climate change models suggest that atmospheric CO2 levels will double by the end of the century. Ragweed pollen counts have been shown to increase in response to increased CO2. We examined whether changes in atmospheric CO2 were associated with changes in weed pollen counts in central Indiana over the past ten years. METHODS: Average atmospheric CO2 levels were obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. Weather data between the periods of 2003 to 2005 and 2013 to 2015 were obtained from the National Weather Service. Pollens were counted by two local allergists, and shared on different websites, for these time periods. From 20032005, Indianapolis pollen data was found on the National Allergy Bureau website. From 2013-2015, the pollen data was posted to a practice website. RESULTS: Over the past ten years, atmospheric CO2 levels significantly increased (median: 377 parts per million(ppm) in 2003-2005 versus 397ppm in 2013-2015; p<0.0001). Temperature and precipitation did not significantly change between these timeframes. Weed pollen season was significantly longer from 2013-2015 versus 2003-2005 (median: 145 days vs 51 days; p50.0495). There was no significant difference in average weed pollen counts between the two time periods. Ragweed pollen season was significantly longer from 2013-2015 versus 2003-2005 (median: 80 days vs 56 days; p50.0141). CONCLUSIONS: Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in atmospheric CO2, which has been associated with a significant increase in the length of weed pollen season in central Indiana.
382
Amaranthaceae Family Pollen Trends in Central Ukraine
Victoria Rodinkova1, O. Palamarchuk1, L. Kremenska1, O. Bilous1, I. Motruk1, and Lawrence M. DuBuske, MD, FAAAAI2,3; 1Vinnitsa National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnitsa, Ukraine, 2George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, 3Immunology Research Institute of New England, Gardner, MA. RATIONALE: While weed pollens from Ambrosia and Artemisiagenera are often assessed, other members of this group, the Amaranthaceae Family, including the Chenopodiaceae Family, are often overlooked in aerobiological analysis. METHODS: Pollen collection from 2009 to 2016 used volumetric methods employing a Burkard trap placed at a height of 25 meters above the ground on the roof of a Vinnitsa Medical University, Ukraine. Samples taken from March 1 until October 31 were analyzed by mean of three horizontal transects in years 2009-2011 and by mean of twelve vertical transects at a bi-hourly mode in years 2012-2016 under the light microscope with x400 magnification. RESULTS: Amaranthaceae pollen season lasted from mid-June until the end of September except in 2013 and 2014 beginning in mid- May with maximum pollen from early August to mid-September. Amaranth pollen appeared in early May 2016 associated with warmer weather. Maximal Amaranthaceae pollen grains occurred between 11 AM and 4 PM peaking at 1 PM. Amaranthaceae pollen constituted from 12% to 22% of the annual
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL FEBRUARY 2017
pollen rain of the weed groups recognized to be allergenic including Ambrosia, Artemisia,Asteraceae, and Amaranthaceae. CONCLUSIONS: Pollen of the Amaranthaceae Family is an important aeroallergen in Central Ukraine with early pollination recently associated with warmer climate.
383
Pollen Counting 1969-2016
Leonard Bielory, MD, FAAAAI1, and Jendayi Jones2; 1Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA, 2 University of Chicago, Clinton, NJ; University Asthma and Allergy Associates, Springfield, NJ. RATIONALE: High granularity of pollen counting sites is essential to document accurate data. We examined the fluctuations in the number and longevity of pollen counting sites in the United States over a 53-year period. METHODS: Locations and activity of pollen counting sites were collected from the records of the Pollen and Mold Committee of the Academy of Allergy and Immunology and the Aeroallergen Monitoring Network of the AAAAI from the years between 1963 and 2016. RESULTS: A total of 500 sites across 42 of the United States were recorded as active from 1963 - 2016. A single station never exceeded 26 years of total activity; average longevity was 4.3 years; 1971 was the most active year (n5132); 1988 was lowest station activity (n518) stations . Average number of active stations was ;65. The most new (stations that were not reporting the previous year) stations became active in 1971, with 48 new stations reporting, while the most stations were lost (became inactive from the previous year) in 1972, when 67 stations became inactive. On average ;20 new stations became active per year, and 17 were lost. In general there was no correlation between number of new sites and number of sites lost. CONCLUSIONS: Granularity of pollen counting sites has a direct impact on our ability to use pollen data in tandem with other measurements (temperature, humidity, etc). to assess the effects of macro and micro environmental changes on allergens and plants at large.
384
Clearing the Air: A Retrospective Observational Study of Rainfall and Pollen Count Data in Oklahoma City, OK
Brandon C. Humble, MD1, and Gregory M. Metz, MD2; 1LSUHSCShreveport, Shreveport, LA, 2Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic, Oklahoma City, OK. RATIONALE: It has been shown that rainfall clears the air of pollen. The authors intended to further investigate this by evaluating the effects of rainfall on Ambrosia counts. The Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma clinic undertook to provide an empirical examination of this hypothesis. METHODS: Rainfall data from wUnderground.com was compiled for 2014 and 2015 for Oklahoma City, OK. Over a two-year time frame, certified laboratory technicians gathered Ambrosia values. This data was then examined for correlation between rainfall and declining pollen counts. A Linear Regression within Excel was performed on each year’s rainfall as a graphed against subsequent decline in Pollen Count. RESULTS: Interpreting the Pearson’s correlation coefficient, in 2014 the data shows a large strength of association with R50.58. In 2015, the data shows a small strength of association with R50.17. This means the authors are reporting a nonzero, statistically significant association between rainfall and declining pollen counts. CONCLUSIONS: While 2014 showed strength of association that would support our hypothesis that rainfall reduces Ambrosia counts, 2015 had an association with a magnitude much smaller than expected. With the data presented in this way, it seems reasonable to assert a small, but significant association between rainfall and decreasing ambrosia counts. This data would add to the ability of physicians to council their patients concerning weather and its impact on Ambrosia allergy symptoms.