Airborne pollen sampling in Trieste (Italy)

Abstract

A qualitative and quantitative analysis of airborne pollen in Trieste City is presented, with special attention being paid to allergenic species. A trap constructed according to Cour (1974) was located on top of a building in the middle of the town. Pollen was collected weekly for three years. Separate records were kept for 16 taxa which are particularly relevant, either as allergenic factors, or as major components in the local vegetation. Cupressaceae and Gramineae are found to be the most abundant in the atmosphere. Genera of waste land such as Artemisia, Rumex and Parietaria are also frequent. The pollen composition largely reflects the man-made environment as vegetation of gardens, parks and roadsides; the natural vegetation of the surrounding country is scarcely represented. © 1987, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.