Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark; National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, University of Worcester, Worcester, United Kingdom.
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2013 Dec;111(6):548-54. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2013.09.002. Epub 2013 Sep 26.
Very few studies on human exposure to allergenic pollen have been conducted using direct methods, with background concentrations measured at city center monitoring stations typically taken as a proxy for exposure despite the inhomogeneous nature of atmospheric pollen concentrations. A 2003 World Health Organization report highlighted the need for an improved understanding of the relation between monitoring station data and actual exposure.
To investigate the relation between grass pollen dose and background concentrations measured at a monitoring station, to assess the fidelity of monitoring station data as a qualitative proxy for dose, and to evaluate the ratio of dose rate to background concentration.
Grass pollen dose data were collected in Aarhus, Denmark, in an area where grass pollen sources were prevalent, using Nasal Air Samplers. Sample collection lasted for approximately 25 to 30 minutes and was performed at 2-hour intervals from noon to midevening under moderate exercise by 2 individuals.
A median ratio of dose rate to background concentration of 0.018 was recorded, with higher ratio values frequently occurring at 12 to 2 PM, the time of day when grass species likely to be present in the area are expected to flower. From 4 to 8 PM, dose rate and background concentration data were found to be strongly and significantly correlated (rs = 0.81). Averaged dose rate and background concentration data showed opposing temporal trends.
Where local emissions are not a factor, background concentration data constitute a good quantitative proxy for inhaled dose. The present ratio of dose rate to background concentration may aid the study of dose-response relations.
采用直接方法研究人类接触过敏原花粉的情况非常少，尽管大气花粉浓度不均匀，但城市中心监测站测量的背景浓度通常被视为暴露的替代物。2003 年世界卫生组织的一份报告强调了需要更好地了解监测站数据与实际暴露之间的关系。
调查监测站测量的草花粉剂量与背景浓度之间的关系，评估监测站数据作为剂量定性替代物的准确性，并评估剂量率与背景浓度的比值。
在丹麦奥胡斯，使用鼻空气采样器在草花粉源普遍存在的地区收集草花粉剂量数据。采样持续约 25 至 30 分钟，由 2 个人在中午到傍晚的 2 小时间隔内进行适度运动时进行。
记录到剂量率与背景浓度的中位数比值为 0.018，12 点至 2 点之间经常出现较高的比值，这段时间正是该地区可能存在的草种开花的时间。从下午 4 点到 8 点，剂量率和背景浓度数据之间存在强烈且显著的相关性（rs = 0.81）。平均剂量率和背景浓度数据显示出相反的时间趋势。
在没有本地排放的情况下，背景浓度数据是吸入剂量的良好定量替代物。目前的剂量率与背景浓度比值可能有助于研究剂量-反应关系。
