New sensor monitoring Leicester's pollen count in real time (2024)

ByAnna Church & Greig Watson,BBC East Midlands

New sensor monitoring Leicester's pollen count in real time (1)New sensor monitoring Leicester's pollen count in real time (2)Getty Images

Summer sees many people watching the weather forecast hoping for sun but some study another kind of forecast even more closely - pollen.

As well as the miseries of hay fever, pollen can trigger serious lung disorders like asthma.

Until recently the pollen forecast relied on time consuming microscope studies of air samples, delaying important information by around 24 hours.

Now a new real-time pollen analyser which has been installed in Leicester and joins two others in in England, could revolutionise this potentially life saving data.

New sensor monitoring Leicester's pollen count in real time (3)New sensor monitoring Leicester's pollen count in real time (4)

The device - a Swisens Poleno Jupiter - samples high volumes of air to detect particles as small as 0.5 micrometres, half the size of typical bacteria.

It uses polarised and UV light to analyse each particle’s optical, geometrical and physical properties almost instantly.

The University of Birmingham, which installed the first machine in England, said the UK has one of the highest global rates of diagnosed asthma, affecting around 10% of adults.

There are 5.3 million asthmatics in the UK and someone suffers a potentially fatal asthma attack every 10 seconds, with over 1400 fatalities recorded each year.

Manchester has also set up a Jupiter, joined recently by Leicester.

New sensor monitoring Leicester's pollen count in real time (5)New sensor monitoring Leicester's pollen count in real time (6)

Dr Fiona Symon, experimental officer in Leicester's Department of Respiratory Sciences, said it had made a "massive difference".

“I think the big change is that we can get real time data. I can come in in the morning, switch on my computer and see what the pollen is doing.

“If I was doing it the old way it takes me – depending on how high the pollen count is – almost a couple of hours to tell you what it did yesterday," she said.

This has meant minute-by-minute information giving insight into when the pollen risk is highest.

New sensor monitoring Leicester's pollen count in real time (7)New sensor monitoring Leicester's pollen count in real time (8)

Dr Symon said: “So what we have seen is there has been a small peak in the morning, then pollen has tailed off and then really ramped up, gone really high in the evening.

“What we didn’t realise is that this continues into the night.

"So we have seen grass pollen levels high enough to cause symptoms, continuing overnight which we weren’t aware of because the old method just didn’t allow us to track that.”

And along with daily data, the Jupiter gives information on longer term trends.

Professor of environmental epidemiology, Anna Hansell, said Leicester had 50 years of atmospheric data to inform new readings

"It has been getting warmer over that period.

“The pollen seasons are starting earlier and they are going on for longer, so people are being exposed to pollen for longer and are getting hay fever for longer.

“We are seeing some really high peaks when you get warmer weather like in the past couple of weeks.

“Our pollen forecasts are based on the current levels and the weather but as the weather changes we are going to have to change those models.

“We have some suggestions that plants might not keep producing more and more pollen, they might just get to a level and stop and adjust to climate change, so we will have to keep a really close eye on that because that will affect how we forecast.”

New sensor monitoring Leicester's pollen count in real time (9)New sensor monitoring Leicester's pollen count in real time (10)Getty Images

The UK Health Security Agency is currently setting up a fourth Jupiter at its base in Chilton, Oxfordshire.

Emma Rubach, head of health advice at charity Asthma + Lung UK, said: “Rising pollen levels can make summer a worrying time for people with lung conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

"It can worsen symptoms or lead to a potentially life-threatening asthma attack or COPD flare-up.

"When pollen particles are breathed in, they can cause inflammation in the airways and get into the lungs, making it harder for people with lung conditions to breathe, which can be terrifying.

“Tracking real-time pollen levels using this new pollen monitor could be a really useful tool to help people know when they need to take extra care and precautions to stay safe."

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.

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New sensor monitoring Leicester's pollen count in real time (2024)

FAQs

New sensor monitoring Leicester's pollen count in real time? ›

Now a new real-time pollen analyser which has been installed in Leicester and joins two others in in England, could revolutionise this potentially life saving data. The device - a Swisens Poleno Jupiter - samples high volumes of air to detect particles as small as 0.5 micrometres, half the size of typical bacteria.

What is the pollen count in my area today? ›

Los Angeles pollen count forecast
DayIndexTree
Wednesday, Aug 14NoneNone
TodayNoneNone
Friday, Aug 16NoneNone
6 days ago

What sensor detects pollen? ›

API (Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor) particle sensing is a technology used in pollen sensors. It employs a laser to illuminate particles in the air drawn into the device. The light scattered by these particles is then measured, and the data is used to determine the size and type of the particles, including pollen.

What is the app that tells you the pollen count? ›

My Pollen Forecast is the best app for tracking the pollen count and your allergens. With a sleek modern design, you can view hayfever forecasts for the upcoming days and keep a diary of your symptoms.

Is there an app for pollen count UK? ›

If you want the most efficient way of keeping up with pollen forecasts and counts, then My Pollen Forecast UK is the right app for you. This version is ad-supported and is similar to apps such as WebMD Allergy, the Met Office and Pollen.com.

What month is pollen count the highest? ›

In Los Angeles, April, May, and September are typically the months when seasonal allergies are at their peak.

Which month has highest pollen count? ›

Weed, grass, oilseed rape, nettle and plantain all begin their season by the end of April. This month tends to have the highest pollen counts. Lime and dock pollen make an entrance and can trigger hay fever, while pine and oilseed rape both peak in May.

Where is the best place to check pollen count? ›

You can visit the National Allergy Bureau for daily pollen count information.

Do air purifiers capture pollen? ›

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said that HEPA filters can remove up to 99.97% of dust, pollen and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns. That means they could help eliminate pet dander found in the air. For more information, check the EPA's guidance on indoor air quality in your home.

What PM size is pollen? ›

The size of PM2. 5 is 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller while pollen particles are usually well over 10 micrometers.

What is the most accurate pollen count website? ›

Welcome to the AAAAI's National Allergy Bureau™ (NAB™), your most trusted resource for accurate pollen and mold levels. Please explore the map to find a counter station in your area. Click on the station heading to view the allergen report.

What happened to the WebMD allergy tracker? ›

The WebMD Allergy app was sunset/retired. While the app is no longer in the App store, if you already have it on your device, it can remain there.

What is the best app to check pollen? ›

klarify gives you location-based pollen, weather and air quality forecasts. You can also check the allergy calendar to see low and peak pollen seasons. Regularly log how you feel your hay fever is affecting you to get personalised insights. And learn about your hay fever triggers, such as grass, weeds and trees.

What are the pollen counts in my area today? ›

Pollen Breakdown
  • Today: None.
  • Tomorrow: None.
  • Friday: None.

What is the pollen identification app? ›

Own Your Seasonal Allergies with the Pollen Wise App. Using a robust network of sensors around the country, Pollen Wise Provides up-to-date pollen counts to help users mitigate allergens and avoid seasonal allergy symptoms.

Why are my allergies so bad right now? ›

Environmental factors play an important role in allergy symptoms. Increased pollution, air quality changes and outdoor allergens such as pollen and mold spores can create a perfect storm for heightened allergic responses.

Why is pollen so high in Florida right now? ›

The allergy season in Florida takes place during the entire year. Because Florida has a mild winter, some plants continue to grow and pollinate throughout the winter. This is a longer allergy season than most other states, making it a worse state for those with allergies.

What time of day is pollen worst? ›

On an average day, pollen counts rise during the morning, peak about midday, and then gradually fall. So the lowest pollen counts are usually before dawn and in the late afternoon to early evening.

Are allergies bad in Chicago right now? ›

The risk of tree pollen symptoms is moderate.

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