Written by Vedika Pathania, a second-year student.

Researchers from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) and Panjab University produced a pollen calendar for Chandigarh, possibly the first for any city in India, after monitoring airborne pollen and seasonal changes for nearly two years.

The work was just published in the journal Atmospheric Environment and is titled ‘Pollen calendar to depict seasonal periodicities of airborne pollen species in a city situated in Indo-Gangetic plain, India.’

What are pollen allergies?

Pollen is a powdery, granular material found in the blooms of trees, grasses, and weeds that helps plants reproduce. Insects may distribute pollen, and the wind can also carry it. They can irritate the respiratory system and induce allergies when breathed by people. Pollen in the air can cause nasal allergies. Some people get hay fever (runny nose and itchy, watery eyes) and asthma due to pollen allergy symptoms. 

What is a Pollen Calendar?

Pollen calendars depict the time variation of pollen in the air in a specific geographic area. They provide easily accessible visual data about different airborne pollen distributed throughout the year in a single image. Chandigarh now has its first pollen calendar, which may identify possible allergy triggers and give physicians and allergy patients a better knowledge of their origins, allowing them to restrict their exposure during high pollen loads.

Why exactly is studying pollen important?

Around 20-30% of India’s population suffers from allergic rhinitis/hay fever, with about 15% developing asthma. In humans, pollen is a significant outdoor airborne allergen that causes allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis. The study was carried out in Chandigarh in response to these concerns.

What did the study conclude?

The study emphasises the seasonal variation of important pollen kinds. Pollen from the air is most prevalent in the spring and fall. The findings will help people better understand pollen seasons, which will help them avoid pollen allergies. A pollen calendar helps physicians and allergy sufferers identify possible allergy triggers and minimise exposure during high pollen load seasons.

Early alerts may be created and communicated to citizens via media channels so that they can wear protective gear during periods when allergy pollen concentrations are high.

Though the notion is not entirely new, it is one of the most pressing environmental issues in Indian cities that have yet to be addressed.

Pollen concentrations are directly connected to regionally dispersed vegetation. Hence such calendars are location-specific. Regional pollen calendars are widely used in Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States to prevent and diagnose allergic rhinitis/hay fever and anticipate the date and intensity of pollen season.

Key points summary

• Researchers from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) and Panjab University produced a pollen calendar for Chandigarh
• Pollen in the air can cause nasal allergies. Some people get hay fever (runny nose and itchy, watery eyes) and asthma due to pollen allergy symptoms. 
• Pollen calendars depict the time variation of pollen in the air in a specific geographic area.
• The study emphasises the seasonal variation of important pollen kinds
• A pollen calendar helps physicians and allergy sufferers identify possible allergy triggers and minimise exposure during high pollen load seasons.

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