Effects of Pollen Allergy on Pulmonary Function Tests

Background: To investigate the effect of high air-borne pollen count on respiratory system.Methods: This cross sectional (descriptive) study included sixty known asthmatics, of either sex and of all ages. Pollen count as per cubic meter was recorded daily during February to May as reported by meteorological department. History, clinical examination and lung function tests were recorded in each case. The Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) with pollen count of asthmatic patients was correlated.Results: The PFT of asthmatic patients were adversely affected significantly during pollen season. There was negative correlation of moderate strength with FEV1 in asthmatic patients with high air borne pollen count during the pollen season.Conclusion: Spirometry was shown to be an effective technique to study the pollen allergy problem in already asthmatic patient

Towards modelling of decay risk of wooden materials

International audienceAn empirical model for wood decay development which can be incorporated into a hygrothermal model of building physics is presented. The model is applied to the ERA-40 reanalysis data, based on six-hour weather observations in Europe, to estimate wood decay in different parts of Europe. These studies provide new tools for evaluating the durability and service life of wooden products and a preliminary European wood decay risk level map. The effects of the projected climate change on wood decay may also be considered by this methodology