Results of three years of aerobiological sampling in the atmosphere of Busto Arsizio

Summary The Compositae rarely cause respiratory allergy, but in our area located North-West of Milan, symptoms of sensitization appear with ever increasing frequency and are wide-spread. The importance of the pollination of Ragweed has been documented thanks to aerobiological sampling carried over a period of three years, using a pollen trap (Lanzoni VPPS 2000) and collecting weekly data.The results show that the Ragweed pollen is present as from mid July and that the highest pollen concentration is found at the end of August (1988: 125 grains/m³ of air; 1989: 289 grains/m³ of air; 1990: 378 grains/m³ of air).It is possible to find a significant quantity of pollen until the first days of October. Because of the allergological importance of Ragweed, it is advisable that the stations of aerobiological sampling consider Ragweed pollen much more carefully and carry out the pollen count of Ragweed separately from that of the other Compositae. We would also advise that Ragweed be included in the standard Skin-Prick-Test panel for patients with late-summer allergy symptoms.