Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Sofiev M, Siljamo P, Ranta H, Rantio-Lehtimäki A (2006a) Towards numerical forecasting of
long-range air transport of birch pollen: theoretical consideration and a feasibility study,
International Journal of Biometeorology 50, 392-402
Sofiev M, Siljamo P, Valkama I, Ilvonen M, Kukkonen J, (2006b) A dispersion system SILAM
and its evaluation against ETEX data, Atmospheric Environment, 40, 674-685
5. Questions and Answers
Question:
One can expect close relationships between pollen appearance and
allergic diseases. Did you compare your pollen forecasts with allergic diseases?
(P. Kishcha)
Answer:
No, we have not, since they are not as easily available as pollen counts.
But it is true that pollen counts do not explain allergic rhinitis alone. Different
human populations are sensitized to different pollen concentrations and also
pollen grain can be empty from tiny allergen particle, which is a real reason for
allergic diseases.
Question:
Will the pollen problem increase with climate change? (P. Builtjes)
Answer:
Warming climate seems to increase pollen counts already now. But, of
course, pollen production and concentrations do not depend only on air tempe-
rature, but also e.g., land use and soil moisture.
