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Short-term Temporal Variations in Outdoor Mold Reference Samples
AB16 Abstracts
SATURDAY
60
Recovery from Hurricane Katrina: Aerobiology in Four New Orleans Neighborhoods E. Levetin1, C. Owens1, W. Davis2, H. Weaver2, F. Rabito3; 1University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, 2Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA, 3Tulane University, New Orleans, LA. RATIONALE: Outdoor air sampling immediately after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 showed elevated levels of spores typically associated with waterdamaged buildings and elevated ragweed levels the following year. The current study was undertaken to examine the airborne pollen and spore levels during 2008 in four New Orleans areas impacted by different levels of flooding. METHODS: Burkard samplers were situated on the roofs of buildings in four areas of the city; the Jefferson location was not flooded following Katrina, but the Uptown, Downtown, and Lakefront locations were in the flood zone. Standard sampling methods were used, and results expressed as pollen or spores/m3. For each location, 4 weeks of seasonal pollen data and 4 weeks of seasonal spore data were analyzed using 3-way ANOVA. RESULTS: There were significant differences in spore concentrations between locations (F3,76854.08, p50.0069) and seasons (F3,76853.44, p50.0166), but no significant interaction effects. Post-hoc t-tests showed that the mean spore level from Downtown was significantly lower than other sites (t2235 -4.82, -4.03, -2.33; p<0.05), and January had a significantly lower mean spore concentration than April (t1254.57, p<0.01), July (t1254.19, p<0.01) or October (t1254.11, p<0.01). However, while January was always low, peak spore concentration month varied among spore-types. Also, spores associated with water-damaged buildings were not elevated at any location or any season. Analysis of airborne pollen levels showed significant seasonal effects (F35120.94, p<0.001) and interaction effects. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that variations in aeroallergen levels are due to seasonal and geographic factors and that there are no lingering differences in flooded versus non-flooded areas.
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Short-term Temporal Variations in Outdoor Mold Reference Samples P. J. Pityn1, J. J. Anderson2; 1Oshtech Incorporated, London, ON, CANADA, 2Environmental Allergy Assays, London, ON, CANADA. RATIONALE: Short term fluctuations in airborne mold levels were studied to better characterize variability of "outdoor" reference samples. The extent of normal variation during the day is relevant to mold surveys in buildings and homes which employ brief outdoor sampling to establish benchmarks for assessing indoor mold exposures. METHODS: Simultaneous sampling was performed outdoors with 4 sideby-side slit impactors operating at flows of 5 LPM, 10 LPM, & two @15 LPM. Ten minute samples were collected in sequence over a period of approximately 1 hour on 4 different days. Four data sets (20 samples each) were colleted. Outdoor sampling in summer allowed for capture of a broad spectrum of spore types and sizes. Samples were enumerated by direct microscopy at 400X. The total counts were averaged and standard deviations calculated. RESULTS: The average total spore count variation was <10% and the S.D. was 36%. This provides a measure of the fluctuations in short term spore count samples within a one hour interval. CONCLUSIONS: Typically, ambient spore count data are reported daily as 24 hour average values. The short term variability in outdoor counts is not often considered. The results of this study indicate the amount of variability is relatively small even when only one brief outdoor reference sample is collected, as is customary with building mold surveys.
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL FEBRUARY 2010
62
Fluctuations in Airborne Grass Pollen Levels As Determined in Three-Hour Intervals During a 24-Hour Period (2007-2009) S. E. Kosisky, M. S. Marks, M. R. Nelson; Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC. RATIONALE: Grass pollen is a potent and widespread cause of seasonal allergy symptoms. Hourly fluctuations in the atmospheric concentration of grass pollen during a 24-hour day have been previously observed. This study was conducted to determine when high hourly atmospheric concentrations of grass pollen occur in the Washington, DC area. METHODS: Volumetric sampling for grass pollen was conducted over a 3-year period (2007-2009) using the Burkard Spore Trap. 24-hour slide samples were observed microscopically at 400 X by an NAB certified counter. Grass counts were determined at three-hour intervals for 24hour periods, May through October. RESULTS: Maximum concentrations of grass pollen were observed at different hourly intervals May-October. Nightly peaks and high early morning levels were recorded. In May, the ‘‘peak’’ month for grass pollen, maximum concentrations were noted at 9:30 am -12:30 pm (14.7%) and 9:30 pm- 12:30 am (14.7%). In May, 13.6% of grass pollen levels were recorded after midnight, 12:30 am- 3:30 am. During peak grass season, May-June, while lower levels are noted 6:30 am- 9:30 am, the hours just after sunrise, higher levels of grass pollen are observed throughout the day. In September-October with a secondary grass peak, overnight levels of grass pollen were also evident. CONCLUSIONS: In Washington, DC, airborne concentrations of grass pollen can remain high throughout the day with peak levels occurring during the nighttime and early morning hours. Grass sensitive patients should be advised that during ‘‘peak’’ grass season, outdoor exposure to high levels of pollen can occur both day and night.
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Increase In Midwestern Airborne Juniper Pollen Over 13 Years R. M. Johnson, C. Barnes, M. Dhar, J. Portnoy; Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO. RATIONALE: The genus Juniperus is part of the Cupressaceae family with over 50 species of Juniper identified throughout the world. In the midwestern United States the major species are J. virginiana (red cedar), J. communis (common juniper) and J. asheii (mountain cedar). These species are indigenous to many parts of the United States and sensitivity to airborne juniper is very common among allergic individuals. To examine the prevalence and patterns of Cupressaceae pollen over the past 13 years in Kansas City, Missouri we conducted the following. METHODS: Airborne pollen grains were collected daily from February to November for the years 1997 through 2009 using a Hirst style spore trap. The collector was mounted atop a 5 story building according to National Allergy Bureau guidelines. Slides were stained and mounted in glycerin jelly containing 1% Calberlas stain. Slides were evaluated microscopically every 4 hours for the presence of Cupressaceae pollen. Pollen counts were stored in an Access database and weather data was recorded on an Automated Weather Station. RESULTS: During the 13 year period yearly total Cupressaceae pollen counts varied from a low of 694 to a high of 7295. There is a general trend toward increasing total yearly Cupressaceae pollen in the recent data. From the current data, the mean expected yearly increase in juniper pollen exceeds 350 grains per year. CONCLUSIONS: Cupressaceae pollen counts seem to be increasing in the Midwestern United States. Allergists in this area might expect to see a simultaneous increase in the allergic disease burden caused by Cupressaceae.
SATURDAY
60
Recovery from Hurricane Katrina: Aerobiology in Four New Orleans Neighborhoods E. Levetin1, C. Owens1, W. Davis2, H. Weaver2, F. Rabito3; 1University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, 2Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA, 3Tulane University, New Orleans, LA. RATIONALE: Outdoor air sampling immediately after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 showed elevated levels of spores typically associated with waterdamaged buildings and elevated ragweed levels the following year. The current study was undertaken to examine the airborne pollen and spore levels during 2008 in four New Orleans areas impacted by different levels of flooding. METHODS: Burkard samplers were situated on the roofs of buildings in four areas of the city; the Jefferson location was not flooded following Katrina, but the Uptown, Downtown, and Lakefront locations were in the flood zone. Standard sampling methods were used, and results expressed as pollen or spores/m3. For each location, 4 weeks of seasonal pollen data and 4 weeks of seasonal spore data were analyzed using 3-way ANOVA. RESULTS: There were significant differences in spore concentrations between locations (F3,76854.08, p50.0069) and seasons (F3,76853.44, p50.0166), but no significant interaction effects. Post-hoc t-tests showed that the mean spore level from Downtown was significantly lower than other sites (t2235 -4.82, -4.03, -2.33; p<0.05), and January had a significantly lower mean spore concentration than April (t1254.57, p<0.01), July (t1254.19, p<0.01) or October (t1254.11, p<0.01). However, while January was always low, peak spore concentration month varied among spore-types. Also, spores associated with water-damaged buildings were not elevated at any location or any season. Analysis of airborne pollen levels showed significant seasonal effects (F35120.94, p<0.001) and interaction effects. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that variations in aeroallergen levels are due to seasonal and geographic factors and that there are no lingering differences in flooded versus non-flooded areas.
61
Short-term Temporal Variations in Outdoor Mold Reference Samples P. J. Pityn1, J. J. Anderson2; 1Oshtech Incorporated, London, ON, CANADA, 2Environmental Allergy Assays, London, ON, CANADA. RATIONALE: Short term fluctuations in airborne mold levels were studied to better characterize variability of "outdoor" reference samples. The extent of normal variation during the day is relevant to mold surveys in buildings and homes which employ brief outdoor sampling to establish benchmarks for assessing indoor mold exposures. METHODS: Simultaneous sampling was performed outdoors with 4 sideby-side slit impactors operating at flows of 5 LPM, 10 LPM, & two @15 LPM. Ten minute samples were collected in sequence over a period of approximately 1 hour on 4 different days. Four data sets (20 samples each) were colleted. Outdoor sampling in summer allowed for capture of a broad spectrum of spore types and sizes. Samples were enumerated by direct microscopy at 400X. The total counts were averaged and standard deviations calculated. RESULTS: The average total spore count variation was <10% and the S.D. was 36%. This provides a measure of the fluctuations in short term spore count samples within a one hour interval. CONCLUSIONS: Typically, ambient spore count data are reported daily as 24 hour average values. The short term variability in outdoor counts is not often considered. The results of this study indicate the amount of variability is relatively small even when only one brief outdoor reference sample is collected, as is customary with building mold surveys.
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL FEBRUARY 2010
62
Fluctuations in Airborne Grass Pollen Levels As Determined in Three-Hour Intervals During a 24-Hour Period (2007-2009) S. E. Kosisky, M. S. Marks, M. R. Nelson; Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC. RATIONALE: Grass pollen is a potent and widespread cause of seasonal allergy symptoms. Hourly fluctuations in the atmospheric concentration of grass pollen during a 24-hour day have been previously observed. This study was conducted to determine when high hourly atmospheric concentrations of grass pollen occur in the Washington, DC area. METHODS: Volumetric sampling for grass pollen was conducted over a 3-year period (2007-2009) using the Burkard Spore Trap. 24-hour slide samples were observed microscopically at 400 X by an NAB certified counter. Grass counts were determined at three-hour intervals for 24hour periods, May through October. RESULTS: Maximum concentrations of grass pollen were observed at different hourly intervals May-October. Nightly peaks and high early morning levels were recorded. In May, the ‘‘peak’’ month for grass pollen, maximum concentrations were noted at 9:30 am -12:30 pm (14.7%) and 9:30 pm- 12:30 am (14.7%). In May, 13.6% of grass pollen levels were recorded after midnight, 12:30 am- 3:30 am. During peak grass season, May-June, while lower levels are noted 6:30 am- 9:30 am, the hours just after sunrise, higher levels of grass pollen are observed throughout the day. In September-October with a secondary grass peak, overnight levels of grass pollen were also evident. CONCLUSIONS: In Washington, DC, airborne concentrations of grass pollen can remain high throughout the day with peak levels occurring during the nighttime and early morning hours. Grass sensitive patients should be advised that during ‘‘peak’’ grass season, outdoor exposure to high levels of pollen can occur both day and night.
63
Increase In Midwestern Airborne Juniper Pollen Over 13 Years R. M. Johnson, C. Barnes, M. Dhar, J. Portnoy; Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO. RATIONALE: The genus Juniperus is part of the Cupressaceae family with over 50 species of Juniper identified throughout the world. In the midwestern United States the major species are J. virginiana (red cedar), J. communis (common juniper) and J. asheii (mountain cedar). These species are indigenous to many parts of the United States and sensitivity to airborne juniper is very common among allergic individuals. To examine the prevalence and patterns of Cupressaceae pollen over the past 13 years in Kansas City, Missouri we conducted the following. METHODS: Airborne pollen grains were collected daily from February to November for the years 1997 through 2009 using a Hirst style spore trap. The collector was mounted atop a 5 story building according to National Allergy Bureau guidelines. Slides were stained and mounted in glycerin jelly containing 1% Calberlas stain. Slides were evaluated microscopically every 4 hours for the presence of Cupressaceae pollen. Pollen counts were stored in an Access database and weather data was recorded on an Automated Weather Station. RESULTS: During the 13 year period yearly total Cupressaceae pollen counts varied from a low of 694 to a high of 7295. There is a general trend toward increasing total yearly Cupressaceae pollen in the recent data. From the current data, the mean expected yearly increase in juniper pollen exceeds 350 grains per year. CONCLUSIONS: Cupressaceae pollen counts seem to be increasing in the Midwestern United States. Allergists in this area might expect to see a simultaneous increase in the allergic disease burden caused by Cupressaceae.