Characterization of sub-pollen particles in size-resolved atmospheric aerosol using chemical tracers.

ABSTRACT: Pollen grains may contain allergens that exacerbate allergic respiratory diseases like asthma and rhinitis. In the presence of water, pollen grains (10-100 μm) can rupture to produce sub-pollen particles (SPP) with diameters <2.5 μm, which in comparison to intact pollen grains, have longer atmospheric lifetimes and greater penetration to the lower lung. The current study examines SPP, fungal spores, and bacteria in size-resolved atmospheric particulate matter (PM) using chemical and biological tracers. During springtime tree pollen season in Iowa City, Iowa, fine particle (PM_2.5) concentrations of fructose (a pollen chemical tracer) increased on rainy sampling periods, especially during severe thunderstorms, and peaked when a tornado struck nearby. Submicron fluorescent particle

SUBMITTER: Mampage CBA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9521721 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature