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Indoor Pollen Concentrations of Mountain Cedar ( Juniperus ashei ) during Rainy Episodes in Austin, Texas

Author

Listed:
  • Susanne Jochner-Oette

    (Physical Geography/Landscape Ecology and Sustainable Ecosystem Development, Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, 85072 Eichstätt, Germany)

  • Johanna Jetschni

    (Physical Geography/Landscape Ecology and Sustainable Ecosystem Development, Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, 85072 Eichstätt, Germany)

  • Petra Liedl

    (Munich Institute for Integrated Materials, Energy and Process Engineering, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany)

  • Annette Menzel

    (TUM School of Life Sciences, Ecoclimatology, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
    Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany)

Abstract

Standard pollen monitoring programs evaluate outdoor pollen concentrations; however, information on indoor pollen is crucial for human wellbeing as people spend most of the day in indoor environments. In this study, we investigated the differences in indoor mountain cedar pollen loads between rooms of different uses and with different ventilation at The University of Texas in Austin and focused on the effect of rainy episodes on indoor/outdoor ratios of pollen concentrations. Pollen were sampled outdoors and indoors, specifically in seven rooms and in two thermal labs with controlled ventilation, during the daytime on 6 days in 2015. We calculated daily pollen concentrations, campaign pollen integrals (CPIn, the sum of all daily pollen concentrations) and ratios between indoor and outdoor concentrations (I/O ratio). Pollen concentrations differed substantially based on features related to room use and ventilation: Whereas the highest CPIn was observed in a room characterized by a frequently opened window and door, the smallest CPIn was related to a storeroom without any windows and no forced ventilation. Our results showed that rainy episodes were linked to a higher mean I/O ratio (0.98; non-rainy episodes: 0.05). This suggests that pollen accumulated indoors and reached higher levels than outdoors. Low ratios seem to signal a low level of risk for allergic people when staying inside. However, under very high outdoor pollen concentrations, small ratios can still be associated with high indoor pollen levels. In turn, high I/O ratios are not necessarily related to a (very) high indoor exposure. Therefore, I/O ratios should be considered along with pollen concentration values for a proper risk assessment. Exposure may be higher in indoor environments during prevailing precipitation events and at the end of the pollen season of a specific species. Standardized indoor environments (e.g., thermal labs) should be included in pollen monitoring programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Susanne Jochner-Oette & Johanna Jetschni & Petra Liedl & Annette Menzel, 2022. "Indoor Pollen Concentrations of Mountain Cedar ( Juniperus ashei ) during Rainy Episodes in Austin, Texas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1541-:d:738097
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Armando Pelliccioni & Virginia Ciardini & Andrea Lancia & Simona Di Renzi & Maria Antonia Brighetti & Alessandro Travaglini & Pasquale Capone & Maria Concetta D’Ovidio, 2021. "Intercomparison of Indoor and Outdoor Pollen Concentrations in Rural and Suburban Research Workplaces," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Mehzabeen Mannan & Sami G. Al-Ghamdi, 2021. "Indoor Air Quality in Buildings: A Comprehensive Review on the Factors Influencing Air Pollution in Residential and Commercial Structure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-25, March.
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