Aerobiological studies based in Derby. III. A comparison of simultaneous pollen and spore counts from the east coast, Midlands and west coast of England and Wales.

The air spora of two sites on the east coast of Britain and one on the west coast were compared with each other and with the regular sampling site in Derby by the simultaneous operation of volumetric spore traps. Concentrations of airborne spores and pollen were found to be usually less at the coastal sites than in Derby. The effect of wind direction was shown to be important at coastal sites because daily counts often showed rises and falls corresponding to off- and on-shore winds respectively. Counts at the west coast site were nearly always lower than those on the east. These findings, together with the prevalence of westerly winds over Britain and the different land use in the east and west, suggest that fewer airborne allergens may be encountered on the west coast.