Allergen Update
Sudbury, Ontario
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.- Maple has two distinct seasons: a very short one, lasting approximately one week, in April and the main season, lasting approximately one month, can occur from mid-April to mid-May. The season fluctuates due to the effect of weather and the number of species present.
Alnus sp.- Alder season can start from late March to early April and can end mid-May to early June. The counts fluctuate from low to some high due to the number of species present and the effect of weather.
Betula sp.- The birch season can start from late April to early May and can end mid-May to early June. This is due to the effect of weather. Some very high counts are observed and they are considered important allergens. The birch look-a-likes' season can occur from mid-April to early June and the counts are in the low to moderate ranges. The season lasts approximately one month.
Populus sp.- The poplar and aspen season is mostly April and can last into mid-May depending on the weather. Some of the counts are high and may cause allergic reactions.
Cupressaceae group- The cedars, junipers and yews produce high counts and the season can occur throughout April to early June. There is an early season, with significant counts, late March to early April.
Morus- Mulberry season lasts one to two weeks and can occur from late April to late May. The counts can be moderate and they may cause allergic reactions in individuals who are highly sensitized.
Fraxinus sp.- The ash pollination season is short lasting almost four weeks and can occur from mid-April to late May. Moderate and high counts are observed. Considered to be allergenic only in highly sensitized individuals.
Pinaceae group- This includes the spruce, fir and pine trees. The season can start early to late May and can end from mid-June to the second week of July. Very high counts are observed during the season. This is an important group for those individuals who are sensitized.
Quercus sp.- The oaks flower in May with high counts. There is a short season, lasting approximately one week, which occurs early April to early May. The main season, which produces moderate and high counts, can start early to mid-May and end late May to mid-June, and it lasts about one month. They are considered highly allergenic.
Gramineae- The grasses produce significant counts in June and July. The season is from early May to late September.
Ambrosia sp.- Ragweed pollen is observed from late July to mid-October with moderate counts occurring mid-August to mid-September.
Urtica sp.- Nettles produce low and some moderate counts and the season is from the early July to early September.
Plantago- The plantains are important allergens for highly sensitized individuals, even at low levels. The season occurs from late June to mid-September.
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, with moderate and high counts, is from May to mid-October with great fluctuations in counts from day to day. This is probably due to the effect of weather.
Erysephe (Oospora)- Powdery mildew - The season with the highest counts is from May to late September. Moderate and high counts are observed.
Boletus sp.- The counts for this spore get very high and may be of significance in causing allergic reactions. The season is June to mid-October.
Coprinus sp.- This mushroom can produce some high counts from May to mid-October. It is considered an important allergen.
Ganoderma sp.- This bracket fungus can produce very high counts from June to mid-October. It is considered an important allergen.
Uredinales- The rusts do not occur in really high numbers and not enough is known about their significance in causing allergic reactions at these levels. The season, with significant counts, is from mid-May to the end of September.
Ustilaginales- The smuts can reach high counts and allergenicity is unknown. The season is May to mid-October with some high counts.
Alternaria sp.- Some high counts are observed and certain 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. High counts are observed from May to mid-October.
Botrytis sp.- This may be a significant allergen. The season is from mid-June to mid-September with low to high counts.
Cladosporium sp.- The most abundant spore found throughout the whole season. This spore exists all year round and high counts are known to occur from late May to well into October.
Epicoccum sp.- Some species are known to cause allergic reactions. The season with significant counts is from June to early October.
Fusarium sp.- Counts are sporadic from May to early October. Some high counts are observed.
Helicomyces sp.- Season is from May to the end of September producing moderate and very high counts.
Pithomyces sp.- Season is mostly in the low to moderate ranges from July to the end of September.
Myxomycetes- Moderate counts are observed from late April to late September.
Last Updated: 22-March-2006
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