Current pollen monitoring stations that are part of a collaborative research program between the School of Plant Science, University of Tasmania, and the Australian National University


(1) Go to Darwin 2004-2006

(2) Go to Canberra 2007

(3) Go to Hobart 2007

 

Pollen monitoring on daily basis at these stations are designed to acheive the following outcomes:

1) Investigate the relationship between pollen in the atmosphere and the occurrence of respiratory disease including allergic responses, hay fever and asthma (in collaboration with Prof David Bowman and Lim Chee Liew, School of Plant Science and Dr Fay Johnston, Menzies Research Institute, University of Tasmania, in Hobart). A similar program of research into repiratory health is being developed in Canberra (in collaboration with ACT Health Department, ACT). See outcomes of Darwin Project

2) Investigate the potential shifts occurring in flowering seasons of major pollen (and allergy) producing plants with respect to current and future climate change (in collaboration with Prof Janette Lindesay, The Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU).

3) Explore the potential for automated pollen counting and its application toaerobiology inAustralasia (in collaboration with Gary Allan and Prof John Flenley at Massey University, NZ)

Learn more about the link between pollen and respiratory disease (including Hay fever) here

Common Pollen and Spore Types

Wattle	Birch	Gum	Grass
Oak	Willow	Cupressus	Elm
Pine		Alternaria spores

Publications from projects so far:

Stevenson, J., Haberle, S.G., Johnston, F.H., and Bowman, D.M.J.S. (2007) Seasonal distribution of pollen in the atmosphere of Darwin, tropical Australia: Preliminary results. Grana 46, 34-42. [0.5Mb]

Hanigan, I.C., Johnston, F. H. (2007) Respiratory hospital admissions were associated with ambient airborne pollen in Darwin, Australia, 2004–2005. Clinical & Experimental Allergy 37, 1556–1565.

Johnston FH and Hanigan IC. Tropical Plant Pollens and Allergic Rhinitis. Poster Presentation TP039, The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting. Darwin, 6-7 April 2009. [0.3Mb]

Johnston, F.H., Hanigan, I.C. and Bowman, D.M.J.S. (2009) Pollen Loads and Allergic Rhinitis in Darwin, Australia: A Potential Health Outcome of the Grass-Fire Cycle EcoHealth DOI: 10.1007/s10393-009-0225-1 [0.3Mb]

Media coverage:

HAY FEVER STUDY INTERROGATES PRIME SUSPECT: POLLEN

POLLEN NATION: AIR PARTICLES HIT FEVER PITCH

Coverage of the story appeared on TV (WIN News, ABC News), Radio (ABC radio 666) and newspapers on the 2-6 November 2007 and 21 September 2008.

PalaeoWorks has completed a 12-month study to record pollen levels in Canberra and Hobart and will continue through 2009.