[Pollinosis. IV. Which pollens should be tested in allergology practice? Results of determinations of allergy-causing pollens in the Zurich air 1981-1984, with reference to threshold concentrations].

The most important pollens causing pollinosis in Zurich include hazel (Corylus), alder (Alnus) and birch (Betula) in spring, grasses--including rye--in summer, and mugwort (Artemisia) in autumn. Investigations on airborne pollen of Zurich were conducted from 1981 to 1984, and assessed with special reference to threshold concentrations. The results show that sorrel (Rumex) and plantain (Plantago) also belong to the most important pollens and should therefore be included in the test spectrum for allergological examinations. The pollen of ash (Fraxinus), oak (Quercus), beech (Fagus) and plane tree (Platanus) was regularly found in high percentages during these years. Hence the clinical relevance of these tree pollens should not be underestimated, because successful diagnosis and therapy depends mainly on the use of the relevant strain of pollen.