Allergen Update
Kingston, Ontario
Predominant pollen:
The tree pollen seasons can fluctuate from year to year by as much as two to three weeks at this site due to the effect of weather. The pollen seasons described here try to cover the time when each can occur.
Acer sp.- Maple season flutuates due to the number of species present and the effect of weather. Significant counts can be observed from late March to late May.
Alnus sp.- Alder season occurs from late March to mid-June and the counts vary from low to moderate due to the number of species present. The seasons vary from year to year in counts and when the season occurs due to the effect of weather.
Betula sp.- The birch season can occur between mid-April to mid-June and some high counts are observed. The start and end of the season can vary from year to year by as much as two weeks based on the effect of weather. Birch look-a-likes' season occurs between mid-April to early June and the counts are mostly in the moderate and low ranges.
Populus sp.- The poplar and aspen season is from late March to early May. The counts vary from low to high and may cause allergic reactions.
Cupressaceae group- The cedars, junipers, and yews produce high counts from the end of March through to early June. The season start and end dates can fluctuate from year to year due to the effect of weather.
Fraxinus sp.- The ash pollen season can occur from mid-April to early June and it lasts approximately six weeks. High counts are observed and may cause reactions in highly sensitized individuals. The start and end of the season can vary by a week depending on weather.
Pinaceae group- High counts are observed throughout the pollen season. The season mostly occurs from May to early July. May cause reactions in highly sensitized individuals.
Quercus sp.- The oaks flower for a short season in April. The main season occurs mostly from May to early June and moderate to high counts are observed. There can be a variation of two weeks from year to year in the start and end dates of the season which is due to the effect of weather. The oak species are considered highly allergenic.
Tsuga sp.- The hemlocks pollinate from the end of May to early June. The occasional moderate count is observed.
Fagus sp.- The beech season produces low counts fom early May to early June. This may not cause reactions except in highly sensitized individuals.
Salix sp.- The willows may cause allergies to highly sensitized individuals. Low and a few moderate counts are observed from mid-April to late May.
Ulmus sp.- The elm are important allergens. The season is highly affected by weather and the main pollen season can occur from mid-April to early May with the occasional moderate counts observed. There is also an short early season around the end of March.
Morus- Mulberry season lasts about a month and can occur from early to late May with some moderate counts observed. Can be considered allergenic in idividuals who are highly sensitized.
Gramineae- The grasses produce moderate and high counts from early June to late July. The season starts early May and lasts well into September.
Ambrosia sp.- Ragweed pollen is observed late July with moderate and high counts occurring from August to late September. Low pollen counts are observed until approximately mid-October.
Urtica sp.- Nettles occur in significant numbers that may cause allergic reactions. The season is early July to early September.
Plantago sp.- The plantains produce low and moderate counts and the season can occur from early June to early October. May cause reactions in highly sensitized individuals.
Predominant spores:
Diatrypaceae sp.- The counts are sporadic throughout the whole counting season. High counts can be observed from March to well into October.
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 is May to mid-October with great fluctuations in counts from day to day. This is probably due to the effect of weather. The counts are in the moderate and high range. The look-alikes produce some very high counts.
Erysephe (Oospora)- Powdery mildew - The season is from early April to mid-October. Low to high counts are observed throughout the season.
Caloplaca sp.- Moderate counts are observed from early April to mid-October. The season is sporadic. May not be an important allergen.
Boletus sp.- The counts for this spore do get high but significance in causing allergic reactions is not well understood. The main season is mid-July to mid-October.
Coprinus sp.- This mushroom can produce moderate and high counts from early May to mid-October. Considered an important allergen.
Ganoderma sp.- This bracket fungus can produce very high counts from June to mid-October. Considered an important allergen.
Uredinales- The rusts do not occur in really high numbers and not enough is known if they are of significance in causing allergic reactions at these levels. The season with significant counts is from June to mid-October.
Ustilaginales- The smuts can reach high counts, allergenicity is unknown. The season is May to mid-October.
Alternaria sp.- Some species are known to cause allergic reactions. The season is from May to mid-October with the highest counts occuring July to Mid-October.
Penicillium & Aspergillus sp.- These spores are found throughout the whole counting season and are probably present in significant numbers beyond that period. Significant counts are observed from March to late fall.
Botrytis sp.- This may be a significant allergen even though the counts do not get very high. The highest counts occur from June to mid-October.
Cladosporium sp.- The most abundant spore found throughout the whole season. This spore exists all year round and very high counts are known to occur from March to late fall.
Epicoccum sp.- Not found in really high numbers but some species are known to cause allergic reactions. Season is from May to mid-October.
Fusarium sp.- Counts are very sporadic throughout the whole counting season. The majority of the season occurs from May to mid-October.
Helicomyces sp.- Season is from May to mid-October producing moderate and high counts. The season is very sporadic.
Pithomyces sp.- Season is mostly in the moderate range from July to mid-October.
Torula sp.- Some species are considered allergenic. Moderate counts are observed from June to early October.
Polythrincium sp.- Allergenicity is unknown but significant counts are observed from late June to early October.
Myxomycetes- Moderate counts are observed from August to mid-October. Allergenic properties are unknown.
Last Updated: 06-March-2006
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