Allergen Update
Kelowna, British Columbia
Predominant pollen:
Acer sp.- Maple season is not considered important for allergies since very little pollen is captured on our samples. This is due to the limited number of species present and that they are mostly insect pollinated or found at high elevations.
Alnus sp.- Alder season starts from early March and ends late June. The counts fluctuate from low to moderate due to the number of species present and the effect of weather.
Betula sp.- The birch season starts around the second week of April and ends mid-May. Some counts do get high making it an important allergen to those who have allergies to birch. The season varies from year to year due to the effect of weather. Birch look-a-likes' season is short, around mid-April to the end of the month, and the counts are moderate.
Populus sp.- The poplar and aspen season can start early March and can last until mid-May. The season fluctuates from year to year due to weather. Some of the counts are very high and may cause allergic reactions.
Cupressaceae group- The cedars, junipers, and yews produce significant counts, in the moderate and high range, from early March to mid-May. Probably of no significance in causing allergic reactions, except to those individuals who are highly sensitized.
Pinaceae group- This includes the spruce, fir and pine trees. Very high counts are observed from early May to mid-August. The season varies from year to year but not as much as in some of the other sites outside of British Columbia. This could be important in highly sensitized individuals due to the length of the season and the high pollen counts.
Ulmus sp.- The elm are important allergens. The season can start as early as the beginning of March and end mid-April. The counts are sometimes in the moderate range. The season lasts approximately two weeks and can vary from year to year due to the effect of weather.
Salix- The willows pollinate generally from late March to mid-May. Some moderate counts are observed.
Gramineae- The grasses produce significant counts in the moderate and high ranges from the second week of May to mid-July. The season starts around mid-April and lasts to about mid-September.
Ambrosia sp.- Ragweed is not common and the pollen season is from the end of July to mid-September with only occasional low counts observed.
Artemisia sp.- The sagebrush and mugwort season is from early August to early October with low counts observed. Could be considered an important allergen in highly sensitized individuals.
Chenopodiaceae & Amaranthaceae- This group of weeds are similar microscopically and are not differentiated. They include some weeds, which are considered allergenic. Some moderate counts are observed from August to early September.
Predominant spores:
Diatrypaceae sp.- The counts are sporadic throughout the whole collecting season. Very high counts can be observed from March to mid-October.
Erysephe (Oospora)- Powdery mildew - The season is from April to mid-October. Moderate and high counts are observed.
Leptosphaeria sp. & Leptosphaeria look-a-likes- These two are grouped together since they are in the same class of fungi and are similar microscopically. The season starts the end of May to the end of September. The counts vary from day to day, which is probably due to the effect of weather and the number of species present. Mostly moderate, with occasional high, counts are observed.
Pleospora sp.- This spore occurs from the end of May to early September and the season is sporadic. The counts are mostly in the moderate range.
Boletus sp.- The season for this spore is very sporadic with some high counts observed. It may be of significance in causing allergic reactions. The season with significant counts is May to well into October.
Coprinus sp.- This mushroom produces moderate and high counts from April to mid-October. It is considered an important allergen.
Ganoderma sp.- The bracket fungus can produce significant counts from early May to mid-October. It is considered an important allergen.
Uredinales- The rusts produce mostly moderate counts but not enough is known about their significance in causing allergic reactions at these levels. The season is from May to mid-October.
Ustilaginales- This spore is abundant at this location. The allergenic properties of the smuts are unknown, however, it belongs to the Basidiomycota which are associated with allergies and asthma. The season is from mid-April to mid-October with some very high counts from July to the end of September.
Alternaria sp.- The counts are mostly moderate with some in the high range. Some species are known to cause allergic reactions. The season is from early March to mid-October, with the highest counts occuring June through September.
Penicillium & Aspergillus sp.- These spores are found throughout the whole counting season and are probably present in significant numbers beyond that. High counts are observed from March to late fall.
Botrytis sp.- This may be a significant allergen, with mostly moderate counts observed. The season, with significant counts, is from mid-May to the end of September and the counts are very sporadic.
Cladosporium sp.- The most abundant spore found throughout the whole season. This spore exists all year round but very high counts are known to occur from March to well into late fall.
Epicoccum sp.- Some species are known to cause allergic reactions. The season is from July to mid-October with some moderate counts. May not be a significant allergen.
Helicomyces sp.- The season is very sporadic from May to the end of September producing moderate and some high counts.
Torula sp.- The majority of the season is from late June to late August with mostly moderate counts.
Myxomycetes- Moderate counts are observed from May to mid-October. Season is sporadic.
Last Updated: 07-March-2006
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