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  • Ambrosia (Ragweed) Pollen Significantly Contributed to the Biological Pollution in the late Spring and early Summer of 2023 in an Urban Community with high Asthma Rates in Jacksonville, Florida.
Title: Ambrosia (Ragweed) Pollen Significantly Contributed to the Biological Pollution in the late Spring and early Summer of 2023 in an Urban Community with high Asthma Rates in Jacksonville, Florida.
Rationale: Ambrosia (ragweed), a member of the Asteraceae family, is very allergenic and its pollen is clinically important because its immunogenic components can exacerbate airway allergic diseases. Investigators have demonstrated that ragweed flourishes more in urban than rural areas because of the increase levels of atmospheric CO2. From the recent weather reports of unusually high temperatures in Florida, we hypothesized that anemophilous ragweed pollen will increase significantly in 2023. Methods: A 7-day Burkard volumetric sampler on the roof of a 5-story dormitory at Edward Waters University in Jacksonville Florida collected daily pollen from December 2020 to August 2023. However, the spore trap was inoperable during the late spring of 2022 through the summer of 2022. Pollen samples were analyzed as specified by the NAB of the AAAAI. Results: Previously, we observed only moderate (>10<50 grains /m3) levels of Ambrosia pollen during the late Spring and Summer of 2021. In 2023, high levels were observed as the difference between the median Ambrosia pollen concentrations from the 2021 and 2023 seasons was statistically significant (p<0.001) and estimated to be 4.32 (95% CI 2.16 to 6.48). Conclusions: The significant increase in concentration of Ambrosia pollen grains from moderate in 2021 to high in 2023 are important aerobiological data to assist the allergists for the treatment of patients with pollinosis especially from the vulnerable urban communities. The unusually high temperatures in 2023 may be partially responsible for the observed significant increase in pollen concentration levels in Jacksonville Florida.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2000433
PAR ID:
10525615
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Elsevier
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume:
153
Issue:
S
ISSN:
0091-6749
Page Range / eLocation ID:
AB110
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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