Airborne pollen allergen quantification or pollen grain counts?

There is a generalized consensus about the need to know the local aeropalynology in order to be able to properly understand pollinosis and make a correct etiological diagnosis. On the other hand, the aerobiological data provided by monitoring networks allow effective measures to be taken to prevent exposure.The aeropalynological characterization of the atmospheric aerosol is traditionally carried out by sampling by volume the particles suspended in the atmosphere and subsequently counting the pollen and fungus types present in the samples. One of the most commonly used sampling methods is based on the one proposed by Hirst in 1952. The correct identification of the pollen and fungus types present in the samples requires an important, previous education and training so as to be able to recognize the morphological features that would lead to a correct identification of the former.In the last decades of the 20th century data began to appear in scientific publications that drew the interest of researchers to the quantification of pollen allergens. In addition, the lack of a link between pollen grain counts and pollinosis symptoms (rhinitis, conjunctivitis and asthma) has been pointed out. On the other hand, there is controversy around the size of pollen grains and their likelihood to penetrate deeply into the respiratory tract. All this evidence led to the introduction of the concept of allergen load and the need to quantify it in the atmospheric aerosol.A lot of work has been done in this regard. In this paper we will supplement our experience in the subject matter with a review of the published literature in an attempt to determine whether we can answer the question posed by Beggs back in 1998: do we have to take pollen or pollen allergens into account? The analysis of the subject matter shows that there is not always a close correlation between pollen grain counts and the allergen load. In some cases, this behavior was expected and can be explained easily; in others, the reasons are not as clear. However, it has not been possible up until now to quantify all of the airborne allergens that are present in the bioaerosol. Thus, we are not ready to replace traditional aeropalynological counts yet and need to keep researching in this field to be able to develop a airborne allergen sampling and quantification methodology that can be implemented in aerobiological atmosphere monitoring networks. Based on the literature review we have conducted, we propose other possible avenues for aerobiological studies and voice our opinions about their future prospects.</p

Quantificação de alergénicos polínicos ou contagem de grãos de pólen?

There is a generalized consensus about the need to know the local aeropalynology in order to be able to properly understand pollinosis and make a correct etiological diagnosis. On the other hand, the aerobiological data provided by monitoring networks allow effective measures to be taken to prevent exposure.The aeropalynological characterization of the atmospheric aerosol is traditionally carried out by sampling by volume the particles suspended in the atmosphere and subsequently counting the pollen and fungus types present in the samples. One of the most commonly used sampling methods is based on the one proposed by Hirst in 1952. The correct identification of the pollen and fungus types present in the samples requires an important, previous education and training so as to be able to recognize the morphological features that would lead to a correct identification of the former.In the last decades of the 20th century data began to appear in scientific publications that drew the interest of researchers to the quantification of pollen allergens. In addition, the lack of a link between pollen grain counts and pollinosis symptoms (rhinitis, conjunctivitis and asthma) has been pointed out. On the other hand, there is controversy around the size of pollen grains and their likelihood to penetrate deeply into the respiratory tract. All this evidence led to the introduction of the concept of allergen load and the need to quantify it in the atmospheric aerosol.A lot of work has been done in this regard. In this paper we will supplement our experience in the subject matter with a review of the published literature in an attempt to determine whether we can answer the question posed by Beggs back in 1998: do we have to take pollen or pollen allergens into account? The analysis of the subject matter shows that there is not always a close correlation between pollen grain counts and the allergen load. In some cases, this behavior was expected and can be explained easily; in others, the reasons are not as clear. However, it has not been possible up until now to quantify all of the airborne allergens that are present in the bioaerosol. Thus, we are not ready to replace traditional aeropalynological counts yet and need to keep researching in this field to be able to develop a airborne allergen sampling and quantification methodology that can be implemented in aerobiological atmosphere monitoring networks. Based on the literature review we have conducted, we propose other possible avenues for aerobiological studies and voice our opinions about their future prospects.Existe un consenso generalizado sobre la necesidad de conocer la aeropalinología local para poder comprender de modo adecuado la polinosis y realizar un diagnóstico etiológico correcto. Por otro lado, los datos aerobiológicos suministrados por las redes de vigilancia permiten implantar medidas eficaces para evitar la exposición.La caracterización aeropalinológica del aerosol atmosférico se realiza tradicionalmente mediante el muestreo volumétrico de las partículas en suspensión en la atmósfera y posterior recuento de los tipos polínicos y fúngicos presentes en las muestras. Uno de los métodos de muestreo más utilizado se basa en el propuesto por Hirst en 1952. La correcta identificación de los tipos polínicos y fúngicos en las muestras requiere una formación altamente especializada, para poder reconocer las características morfológicas que permiten la adecuada adscripción a un tipo polínico o fúngico.A lo largo de las últimas décadas del siglo XX fueron apareciendo en publicaciones científicas datos que dirigieron el interés de los investigadores hacia la cuantificación de los alérgenos polínicos. Además, se ha señalado la falta de relación encontrada entre los recuentos de granos de polen y los síntomas de la polinosis (rinitis, conjuntivitis y el asma). Por otro lado, existe una controversia alrededor del tamaño de los granos de polen y su posibilidad de penetrar profundamente en las vías respiratorias. Este conjunto de evidencias propiciaron la introducción del concepto de carga alergénica y la necesidad de su cuantificación en el aerosol atmosférico.Son muchos los esfuerzos que se han realizado en este sentido, en este trabajo complementaremos nuestra experiencia en el tema con una revisión de la bibliografía publicada, tratando de examinar si se puede contestar a la pregunta formulada por Beggs ya en 1998; ¿qué hay que considerar el polen o los alérgenos polínicos?. El análisis del tema permite evidenciar que no siempre hay una correlación estrecha entre los recuentos de granos de polen y la carga alergénica, en algunos casos este comportamiento es fácilmente justificable y era previsible, en otros casos las razones no son tan evidentes. Sin embargo, hasta el momento no todos los aeroalérgenos han podido ser cuantificados en el bioaerosol, por lo que todavía no nos encontramos en condiciones de sustituir los recuentos aeropalinológicos tradicionales y se requiere seguir investigando en este campo para poder desarrollar una metodología de toma de muestras y cuantificación de aeroalérgenos que pueda ser implementada en las redes de vigilancia aerobiológica de la atmósfera. Siguiendo con la revisión bibliográfica realizada se apuntan otras opciones posibles para los estudios aerobiológicos y se recoge la opinión de los autores sobre sus posibilidades de futuro.Existe um consenso generalizado sobre a necessidade de conhecer a aeropalinologia local para poder compreender de modo adequado a polinose e realizar um diagnóstico etiológico correto. Por outro lado, os dados aerobiológicos fornecidos pelas redes de vigilância permitem implementar medidas eficazes para evitar a exposição.A caracterização aeropalinológica do aerossol atmosférico realiza-se tradicionalmente através da amostragem volumétrica de partículas em suspensão na atmosfera e posterior contagem dos tipos polínicos e fúngicos presentes nas amostras. Um dos métodos de amostragem mais utilizado baseia-se no proposto por Hirst em 1952. A correta identificação dos tipos polínicos e fúngicos nas amostras requer uma importante formação prévia, que permita reconhecer as caraterísticas morfológicas necessárias a uma correta identificação.Ao longo das últimas décadas do século XX foram surgindo em publicações científicas dados que direcionaram o interesse dos investigadores para a quantificação de alergénios polínicos. Além disso, assinalou-se a falta de relação encontrada entre as contagens de grãos de pólen e os sintomas de polinoses (rinites, conjuntivites e asma). Por outro lado, existe uma controvérsia em redor do tamanho dos grãos de pólen e a sua possibilidade de penetrar profundamente nas vias respiratórias. Este conjunto de evidências propiciou a introdução do conceito de carga alergénica e a necessidade da sua quantificação no aerossol atmosférico.São muitos os esforços que se realizaram nesse sentido, neste trabalho complementaremos a nossa experiência neste tema com uma revisão da bibliografia publicada, apreciando se é possível responder à pergunta formulada por Beggs já em 1998; “O que se deve considerar, o pólen ou os alergénicos polínicos?”. A análise do tema permite evidenciar que nem sempre há uma correlação estreita entre as contagens de grãos de pólen e a carga alergénica, em alguns casos esta situação é facilmente justificável e era previsível, em outros casos as razões não são tão evidentes. Porém, até ao momento nem todos os aeroalergénios podem ser quantificados no bioaerossol, pelo que não nos encontramos em condições de substituir as contagens aeropalinológicas tradicionais, sendo necessário dar continuidade à investigação neste campo no sentido de se desenvolver uma metodologia de colheita de amostras e quantificação de aeroalergénios que possam ser implementadas nas redes de vigilância aerobiológica da atmosfera. Em consequência da revisão bibliográfica realizada registam-se outras opções possíveis para os estudos aerobiológicos e recolhe-se a opinião de outros autores sobre as possibilidades futuras

Quantificação de alergénicos polínicos ou contagem de grãos de pólen?

[SPA] Existe un consenso generalizado sobre la necesidad de conocer la aeropalinología local para poder comprender de modo adecuado la polinosis y realizar un diagnóstico etiológico correcto. Por otro lado, los datos aerobiológicos suministrados por las redes de vigilancia permiten implantar medidas eficaces para evitar la exposición. La caracterización aeropalinológica del aerosol atmosférico se realiza tradicionalmente mediante el muestreo volumétrico de las partículas en suspensión en la atmósfera y posterior recuento de los tipos polínicos y fúngicos presentes en las muestras. Uno de los métodos de muestreo más utilizado se basa en el propuesto por Hirst en 1952. La correcta identificación de los tipos polínicos y fúngicos en las muestras requiere una formación altamente especializada, para poder reconocer las características morfológicas que permiten la adecuada adscripción a un tipo polínico o fúngico. A lo largo de las últimas décadas del siglo XX fueron apareciendo en publicaciones científicas datos que dirigieron el interés de los investigadores hacia la cuantificación de los alérgenos polínicos. Además, se ha señalado la falta de relación encontrada entre los recuentos de granos de polen y los síntomas de la polinosis (rinitis, conjuntivitis y el asma). Por otro lado, existe una controversia alrededor del tamaño de los granos de polen y su posibilidad de penetrar profundamente en las vías respiratorias. Este conjunto de evidencias propiciaron la introducción del concepto de carga alergénica y la necesidad de su cuantificación en el aerosol atmosférico. Son muchos los esfuerzos que se han realizado en este sentido, en este trabajo complementaremos nuestra experiencia en el tema con una revisión de la bibliografía publicada, tratando de examinar si se puede contestar a la pregunta formulada por Beggs ya en 1998; ¿qué hay que considerar el polen o los alérgenos polínicos?. El análisis del tema permite evidenciar que no siempre hay una correlación estrecha entre los recuentos de granos de polen y la carga alergénica, en algunos casos este comportamiento es fácilmente justificable y era previsible, en otros casos las razones no son tan evidentes. Sin embargo, hasta el momento no todos los aeroalérgenos han podido ser cuantificados en el bioaerosol, por lo que todavía no nos encontramos en condiciones de sustituir los recuentos aeropalinológicos tradicionales y se requiere seguir investigando en este campo para poder desarrollar una metodología de toma de muestras y cuantificación de aeroalérgenos que pueda ser implementada en las redes de vigilancia aerobiológica de la atmósfera. Siguiendo con la revisión bibliográfica realizada se apuntan otras opciones posibles para los estudios aerobiológicos y se recoge la opinión de los autores sobre sus posibilidades de futuro. [ENG] There is a generalized consensus about the need to know the local aeropalynology in order to be able to properly understand pollinosis and make a correct etiological diagnosis. On the other hand, the aerobiological data provided by monitoring networks allow effective measures to be taken to prevent exposure. The aeropalynological characterization of the atmospheric aerosol is traditionally carried out by sampling by volume the particles suspended in the atmosphere and subsequently counting the pollen and fungus types present in the samples. One of the most commonly used sampling methods is based on the one proposed by Hirst in 1952. The correct identification of the pollen and fungus types present in the samples requires an important, previous education and training so as to be able to recognize the morphological features that would lead to a correct identification of the former. In the last decades of the 20th century data began to appear in scientific publications that drew the interest of researchers to the quantification of pollen allergens. In addition, the lack of a link between pollen grain counts and pollinosis symptoms (rhinitis, conjunctivitis and asthma) has been pointed out. On the other hand, there is controversy around the size of pollen grains and their likelihood to penetrate deeply into the respiratory tract. All this evidence led to the introduction of the concept of allergen load and the need to quantify it in the atmospheric aerosol. A lot of work has been done in this regard. In this paper we will supplement our experience in the subject matter with a review of the published literature in an attempt to determine whether we can answer the question posed by Beggs back in 1998: do we have to take pollen or pollen allergens into account? The analysis of the subject matter shows that there is not always a close correlation between pollen grain counts and the allergen load. In some cases, this behavior was expected and can be explained easily; in others, the reasons are not as clear. However, it has not been possible up until now to quantify all of the airborne allergens that are present in the bioaerosol. Thus, we are not ready to replace traditional aeropalynological counts yet and need to keep researching in this field to be able to develop a airborne allergen sampling and quantification methodology that can be implemented in aerobiological atmosphere monitoring networks. Based on the literature review we have conducted, we propose other possible avenues for aerobiological studies and voice our opinions about their future prospects. [POR] Existe um consenso generalizadosobre a necessidade de conhecer a aeropalinologia local para poder compreender de modo adequado a polinose e realizar um diagnóstico etiológico correto. Por outro lado, os dados aerobiológicos fornecidos pelas redes de vigilância permitem implementar medidas eficazes para evitar a exposição. A caracterização aeropalinológica do aerossol atmosférico realiza-se tradicionalmente através da amostragem volumétrica de partículas em suspensão na atmosfera e posterior contagem dos tipos polínicos e fúngicos presentes nas amostras. Um dos métodos de amostragem mais utilizado baseia-se no proposto por Hirst em 1952. A correta identificação dos tipos polínicos e fúngicos nas amostras requer uma importante formação prévia, que permita reconhecer as caraterísticas morfológicas necessárias a uma correta identificação. Ao longo das últimas décadas do século XX foram surgindo em publicações científicas dados que direcionaram o interesse dos investigadores para a quantificação de alergénios polínicos. Além disso, assinalou-se a falta de relação encontrada entre as contagens de grãos de pólen e os sintomas de polinoses (rinites, conjuntivites e asma). Por outro lado, existe uma controvérsia em redor do tamanho dos grãos de pólen e a sua possibilidade de penetrar profundamente nas vias respiratórias. Este conjunto de evidências propiciou a introdução do conceito de carga alergénica e a necessidade da sua quantificação no aerossol atmosférico. São muitos os esforços que se realizaram nesse sentido, neste trabalho complementaremos a nossa experiência neste tema com uma revisão da bibliografia publicada, apreciando se é possível responder à pergunta formulada por Beggs já em 1998; “O que se deve considerar, o pólen ou os alergénicos polínicos?”. A análise do tema permite evidenciar que nem sempre há uma correlação estreita entre as contagens de grãos de pólen e a carga alergénica, em alguns casos esta situação é facilmente justificável e era previsível, em outros casos as razões não são tão evidentes. Porém, até ao momento nem todos os aeroalergénios podem ser quantificados no bioaerossol, pelo que não nos encontramos em condições de substituir as contagens aeropalinológicas tradicionais, sendo necessário dar continuidade à investigação neste campo no sentido de se desenvolver uma metodologia de colheita de amostras e quantificação de aeroalergénios que possam ser implementadas nas redes de vigilância aerobiológica da atmosfera. Em consequência da revisão bibliográfica realizada registam-se outras opções possíveis para os estudos aerobiológicos e recolhe-se a opinião de outros autores sobre as possibilidades futuras

Cannabis, an emerging aeroallergen in southeastern Spain (Region of Murcia)

The evolution of the behaviour of the Cannabis taxon in the Region of Murcia, Spain, has been analysed (in the cities of Cartagena, 1993–2020; Murcia, 2010–2020; and Lorca, 2010–2020). An attempt has been made to establish the origin of Cannabis pollen in this region to determine whether it is transported locally or from long distances based on air mass origins. Cannabis is an herbaceous, normally dioecious and anemophilous plant, which produces large quantities of pollen grains. It has been widely used for fibre (hemp), bird food (hempseed), essential oils and narcotics. The origin of Cannabis pollen grains has been established by calculating back trajectories at the altitudes of: 750, 1500 and 2500 m above mean sea level (m amsl); 350, 500 and 650 m amsl; and 10, 100 and 250 m amsl, using the HYSPLIT model. Considering this data, 29 days of Cannabis pollen potentially originating in Africa were identified in Cartagena, 19 days in Murcia and 15 days in Lorca. Of the remaining days, the air mass back trajectories showed local or regional pollen origins. These were 83 days in Cartagena, 61 days in Murcia and 57 days in Lorca. The presence of Cannabis in the bioaerosol of the Region of Murcia is irregular, and it is considered a minority pollen type. However, from 2017 to 2020, concentrations increased, with a positive and significant trend of 90% in the Annual Pollen Integral. The pollen season can be defined between June and August. This increase in the concentration of Cannabis pollen grains during this period coincides with an increase in local transport, suggesting the possibility of increased Cannabis cultivation in the study area

The effects of continentality, marine nature and the recirculation of air masses on pollen concentration: Olea in a Mediterranean coastal enclave

Olea pollen concentrations have been studied in relation to the typology of air masses, pollen grain sources and marine nature during advections in a coastal enclave in the south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Since Spain is the world's leading olive producer, and olive growing extends throughout the Mediterranean basin, this location is ideal for the study of long-distance transport events (LTD) during the main pollen season (MPS). The air masses were classified using the calculation of 48-h back trajectories at 250, 500 and 750 m above ground level using the HYSPLIT model. After that, the frequency of LDT events from Africa and Europe was found to be 8.7% of the MPS days. In contrast, regional air masses were found in 38.6% of the MPS days. This was reflected in pollen concentrations, with significantly higher concentrations (p-value <0.05) on days with regional air masses compared to days with European air masses. Regarding the source areas, the importance of nearby sources with intense olive cultivation was confirmed (i.e., Andalusia). This proximity was relevant beyond the attenuations observed when the advections acquired a marine nature as the air mass back trajectories moved over the sea (p-value <0.001). The review of air mass typologies, source areas and pollen concentrations resulted in establishing peak dates and the detection of LDT associated with these peak dates. Distortions in the typical path of each air mass explained alterations in pollen concentrations on consecutive days. The recirculation and loops of the air mass back trajectories varied the pollen load that every type of air mass could originally contain.Funding: This research was funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Spanish Government through the projects SICAAP-CPI RTI2018-096392-B-C21 and SICAAP-CPI RTI2018-096392-B-C22. The Interministerial Committee of Science and Technology, which financed the projects BOS2000-0563-C02-02, BOS2003-06329-C02-02, BOS 2006-15103; the Seneca Foundation of the Region of Murcia, which financed the project 08849/PI/08. The authors wish to express their gratitude to Ms. Paula García López, technician at the Aerobiological Network of the Region of Murcia, funded by the Spanish State Research Agency, Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (code: PTA2017-13571-I)

Causes of increased pollen exposure during Saharan-Sahel dust intrusions

Airborne particulate matter such as mineral dust comes mainly from natural sources, and the African regions of Sahara and Sahel originate large amounts of the aerosols dispersed worldwide. There is little knowledge about the influence of dust episodes on airborne pollen concentrations, and although the centre and southeast of the Iberian Peninsula are frequently affected by dust intrusions, until now, no specific works have analysed the effect of these episodes on airborne pollen concentrations in these areas. The aims of this study were to analyse the simultaneous occurrence of airborne pollen peaks and Saharan-Sahel dust intrusions in the central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula, and to study the weather conditions – air mass pathways and conditions of air temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure – that influence the airborne pollen concentrations during dust episodes. The results showed that the rise in airborne pollen concentrations during dust episodes is apparent in inland Iberian areas, although not in coastal areas in the southeast where pollen concentrations are even observed to decrease, coinciding with prevailing easterly winds from the sea. Total pollen concentrations and specific pollen types such as Olea, Poaceae and Quercus showed an increase in the central Iberian Peninsula during dust episodes when two meteorological phenomena concur: 1) prevailing winds from extensive areas of major wind-pollinated pollen sources over a medium or short distance (mainly from western and southwestern areas); and 2) optimal meteorological conditions that favour pollen release and dispersal into the atmosphere (mainly high temperatures and subsequently low humidity in central areas). Both conditions often occur during the Saharan-Sahel dust intrusions in the centre. Maximum pollen peaks are therefore most likely to occur during dust episodes in the central Iberian Peninsula, thus dramatically increasing the risk of outbreaks of pollinosis and other respiratory diseases in the population

Correlations between Different Heavy Metals in Diverse Body Fluids: Studies of Human Semen Quality

It has been hypothesized that exposure to heavy metals may impair male reproduction. To measure the effect produced by low doses of heavy metals on semen parameters, it is necessary to clarify in which body fluids those measurements must be performed. Sixty-one men attending infertility clinics participated in our study. Concentrations of lead, cadmium, and mercury were measured in whole blood, blood plasma, and seminal plasma using spectroanalytical and electrochemical methods. Semen analyses were performed according to World Health Organization criteria. For statistical analysis, Spearman's rank correlations, mean comparison tests, and discriminant analysis were calculated. Significant correlations between the measured concentrations of the three heavy metals in the same biological fluids were observed. However, no similar relationship was seen when comparing the concentrations in different body fluids of the same metal. According to our results and previous publications, seminal plasma might be the best body fluid for assessing impairment of human semen parameters

Saúde ambiental de parques espanhóis: Abordagem ao potencial alergénico dos espaços verdes urbanos

Urban parks are green infrastructure elements that should contribute to improving the quality of life and well-being of citizens. In this work there are presented the results of applying a new index to estimate the potential allergenicity of parks located in 20 Spanish cities. This index, which considers intrinsic biological and biometric parameters of existing plant species in parks, allows the allergenic risk thereof to be calculated on a scale ranging from 0 to 1, depending on whether to the park’s allergenicity is zero or has a high risk for the population. The parks selected for this study have different typologies, sizes, species richness and biodiversities, which has yielded highly variable index values. Almost half of the analysed parks have an index value higher than 0.30, a threshold considered having a moderate to high risk, and therefore, enough to cause allergy symptoms in the population. Conversely, most of the parks had an index value below this threshold, so that the risk of suffering allergies is low or very low. The formula also allows the species that most contribute to the resulting value for allergenicity to be known, which are those having an anemophilous strategy of pollination, extended periods of flowering, and a referenced high allergenicity. These requirements are met by all species of the Betulaceae, Cupressaceae and Moraceae families, and to a lesser extent by Oleaceae and Platanaceae. It can be concluded that the development of an index to estimate the allergenicity of urban green spaces constitutes a useful tool to minimize the impact of pollen allergy on the population.Los parques urbanos son elementos de la infraestructura verde que deben contribuir a mejorar la calidad de vida y el bienestar ciudadano. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de la aplicación de un novedoso índice que estima la alergenicidad potencial de las zonas verdes urbanas. Este índice, que contempla parámetros biológicos y biométricos intrínsecos a las especies arbóreas existentes en los parques, genera un resultado cuyo valor está comprendido entre 0 y 1 según el potencial alergénico del parque sea nulo o de riesgo alto para la población. En una primera fase el índice se ha aplicado a parques de diferente tipología, diseño, tamaño, riqueza específica y biodiversidad ubicados en 20 ciudades españolas. Los resultados han mostrado que algunos de los parques estudiados registran un valor de índice superior a 0.30, umbral suficiente para causar síntomas de alergia a la población expuesta, y por tanto, de riesgo moderado o alto. Por el contrario, en la mayoría de los parques se obtuvo un valor inferior a este umbral. También es posible conocer cuáles son las especies que más contribuyen al valor resultante, que son aquellas con estrategia de polinización anemófila, periodos de oración extensos y alta alergenicidad referenciada. Estos requisitos los cumplen todas las especies de las familias Betuláceas, Cupresáceas y Moráceas, y en menor extensión, Oleáceas y Platanáceas. Puede concluirse que el desarrollo de un índice de estimación de alergenicidad de espacios verdes urbanos constituye una herramienta de utilidad para minimizar el impacto de la alergia polínica en la población.Os parques urbanos são elementos da infraestrutura verde que devem contribuir para a melhoria da qualidade de vida dos cidadãos. Neste trabalho apresentam-se os resultados da aplicação de um índice inovador, que permite estimar a alergenicidade potencial dos espaços verdes urbanos. Este índice, que inclui parâmetros biológicos e biométricos, intrínsecos às próprias espécies existentes nos parques, tem como resultado um valor numa escala entre 0 e 1, de acordo com o potencial alergénico do parque, caso este seja, respetivamente e nos seus extremos, nulo ou de máximo risco para as populações. O índice foi aplicado em parques de diferentes tipologias, desenho, tamanho, riqueza específica e biodiversidade, situados em 20 cidades espanholas. Os resultados demonstram que alguns dos parques estudados registam um valor de índice superior a 0.30, limite su ciente para causar sintomas de alergia na população exposta, e por tanto, risco moderado a alto. No entanto, a maioria dos parques apresenta um valor inferior a este limite. Também é possível conhecer quais as espécies que mais contribuem para o valor do índice, que correspondem aquelas com a estratégia de polinização anemófila, períodos de oração extensos e potencial alergénico referenciado. Estes requisitos são aplicáveis a todas as espécies das famílias Betuláceas, Cupressáceas e Moráceas, e em menor medida, Oleáceas e Platanáceas. Pode assim concluir-se que a aplicação de um índice de previsão dos níveis de alergenicidade dos espaços verdes urbanos constitui uma ferramenta útil para minimizar o impacto da alergia polínica sobre a população