Allergen Update
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Predominant pollen:
Due to extreme variations in the weather at this site, the tree pollen season fluctuates significantly from year to year. The pollen seasons described here try to cover the time when each can occur.
Acer sp.- The maple season varies greatly which is mostly due to the effect of weather. Significant counts are observed between the end of April to late May.
Alnus sp.- Alder season occurs from late March to mid-June and the counts vary from low to some high counts, with a number of species present. The alder season is highly sensitive to weather conditions. The highest counts occur from april to mid-June.
Betula sp.- The start and end of the birch season can vary by as much as a month which is due to the effect of weather. The start of the season can occur from late April to late May and the end can occur from late May to mid-June. Birch look-a-likes' season occurs mostly in the month of May and the counts are sometimes high.
Populus sp.- The Poplar and aspen season can start from early April to the end of April and end from early to late May. Some of the counts are very high and may cause allergic reactions.
Cupressaceae group- The cedars, junipers, and yews produce significant counts, mostly in the moderate range, with a few high counts from early April to late May. There is great fluctuation in the season due to the effect of weather. Probably of no significance in causing allergic reactions.
Fraxinus sp.- The ash pollen season occurs mostly in May. High and moderate counts are observed. Considered to be allergenic only in highly sensitized individuals.
Pinaceae- This group includes the spruce, fir and pine trees. Very high counts are observed. The season can start mid-May to early June and can end mid-June to late) July. There can almost be a month difference as to when the season can occur from year to year. This group is extremely important to those individuals who are sensitized.
Quercus sp.- The oaks flower for a short period early May and a second season occurs late May to early June. Mostly low, with the occasional moderate counts are observed. Oaks are highly allergenic.
Ulmus sp.- The elm are important allergens. Low to high counts are observed for a short season, which can begin from mid-April to Mid-May and end late April to late May.
Salix- The willows pollinate the end of April (and all of May) to early June. There is a great variation in the season from year to year and very high counts are observed.
Gramineae- The grasses produce significant counts, usually in the moderate range, in June and July. The season occurs from mid-May to late September.
Ambrosia sp.- Ragweed season is from late July to early October with only low counts observed.
Urtica sp.- Nettles occur in significant numbers that may cause allergic reactions. The season is from mid-June to early September and the counts are in the low and moderate ranges.
Chenopodiaceae & Amaranthaceae- This group of weeds are similar microscopically and are not differentiated. They include some weeds which are considered allergenic. Low and moderate counts are observed from late June to mid-September.
Artemisia sp.- The sagebrush and mugwort season is from mid-July to late September with low and moderate counts observed. Certain species are considered highly allergenic.
Predominant spores:
Diatrypaceae sp.- The counts are sporadic throughout the whole counting season. Very high counts can be observed from late March to mid-October.
Erysephe (Oospora)- Powdery mildew - The main season is from late April to mid-October. Low to 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 early April and ends mid-October. The counts vary from day to day, which is probably due to the effect of weather. Very high counts are observed from July to mid-October. This group is important for those individuals who are sensitized.
Boletus sp.- The counts for this spore are sometimes very sporadic with some high counts observed. It may be of significance in causing allergic reactions. The season is from mid-June to the end of September.
Coprinus sp.- This mushroom can produce some very high counts from late May to mid-October. It is considered an important allergen.
Ganoderma sp.- This bracket fungus can produce high counts from mid-June to early October. It is considered an important allergen.
Uredinales- The rusts do occur in high numbers but not enough is known about their significance in causing allergic reactions. The main season is from late May to mid-October.
Ustilaginales- The smuts can reach high counts, but allergenic properties are unknown. The season is from mid-April to mid-October with some very high counts.
Alternaria sp.- The counts do get high and some species are known to cause allergic reactions. The season is from May to mid-October.
Penicillium & Aspergillus sp.- These spores are found throughout the whole counting season and are probably present in significant numbers beyond that. Significant counts are observed from late March to late fall.
Botrytis sp.- This may be a significant allergen, and high counts are observed. The season is sporadic from late April to early October.
Cladosporium sp.- The most abundant spore found throughout the whole season. Some species are known to cause allergic reactions. 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 the end of April to mid-October with low and moderate counts observed.
Fusarium sp.- Counts are very sporadic throughout the whole counting season. The majority of the season occurs from May to the end of September with low and moderate counts.
Helicomyces sp.- Season is from May to the end of September producing low to very high counts. The season is very sporadic. Allergenic properties are unknown.
Pithomyces sp.- Season produces low to moderate counts, with a few high counts observed, from mid-June to the end of September. Allergenic properties are unknown.
Caloplaca sp.- The season is sporadic from late March to early October. Allergenic properties are unknown.
Drechslera sp.- The counts are mostly in the low range. This is a late summer and fall spore, July to early October. There are other related genera, which are also found in air samples that can cause respiratory problems. One example is Bipolaris sp.
Stemphylium sp.- The season occurs mostly from July to the end of September with occasional moderate counts observed.
Myxomycetes- Low and moderate counts are observed from late March to mid-October. Some moderate and high counts are observed.
Last Updated: 13-March-2006
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