Allergen Update
Windsor, Ontario
Predominant pollen:
The tree pollen seasons can fluctuate from year to year by as much as two to three weeks at this site. The pollen seasons described here try to cover the time when each can occur.
Acer sp.- The maples have more than one season because of the number of species present at this site. The first season, which lasts approximately one and a half weeks, can occur from late February to mid-March. The longer season, which can last at least four weeks, can start anytime from late March to early April and can end from late April to the first week of May. Significant counts can be observed ranging from low to high. Some species are known to cause allergic reactions.
Alnus sp.- Alder season occurs from late February to early June and the counts fluctuate from low to moderate. Rare high counts occur during the early season due to the number of species present. The alder season is highly affected by weather.
Betula sp.- The birch season is from mid-April to early June with low and moderate counts. Rare high counts can occur. There are two distinct seasons, the main occuring the second week of May to early June, the earlier one can occur from mid-April to mid-May. The birch look-a-likes' have two distinct seasons, with low to high counts, each lasting at least two weeks and they can occur between early April to the second week of May.
Populus sp.- The poplar and aspen season is very dependent on weather conditions. An early season can occur early March to early April, if the weather conditions are favourable. Generally two seasons cannot be differentiated and significant counts can be observed from late March to early May. The season can be delayed from start to end by as much as two weeks due to the effect of weather. The counts can reach the high range and may cause allergic reactions.
Cupressaceae group- The cedars, junipers and yews can produce low to high counts from about mid-February to late April. The season is very sporadic due to the number of species present and the effect of weather.
Fraxinus sp.- The ash pollination season lasts approximately one month and can start from the end of March to mid-April and end early to late May. The counts range from low to high throughout the season and they are considered to be allergenic only in highly sensitized individuals.
Pinaceae group- This group includes the pine, spruce and firs and the season fluctuates a great deal due to the effect of weather and the number of species present. There is a very short season that lasts about one week, which can occur sometime in April. The main season, with the highest counts, lasts approximately five weeks and can start from late April to early May and can end early to late June. High counts are observed and can be of significance to those individuals who suffer from allergies to this group.
Juglans sp.- The walnut season lasts two to three weeks and can occur from early May to mid-June with counts in the low to moderate range.
Quercus sp.- The oaks can have two distinct short seasons lasting less than one week and they can occur anytime during the month of April. The main season, which can last more than five weeks (depending on the weather conditions), can occur from early May to early June. Certain species of oak are highly allergenic especially when the counts reach very high levels.
Ulmus sp.- The elm season can last about four to five weeks with an early season that occurs early March and the main season which can last from late March to late April. There are two distinct seasons where low to high counts are observed making this group important allergens to those who are sensitized.
Carya- The hickories pollinate for almost three weeks and the season can occur from early May to early June with some moderate counts.
Salix sp.- The willows have a long season that lasts more than a month and can occur from early April to late May. There are several species and they cause allergic reactions only in individuals who are highly sensitized.
Castenea- The chestnuts are important allergens and the season lasts approximately two weeks and it can occur from mid-May to mid-June. The Horse Chestnut, which is the most allergenic, is found in significant numbers.
Corylus sp.- The hazelnuts season lasts about three weeks and can occur from early April to early May with very sporadic counts in the low to moderate range.
Morus- Mulberry season can last from three to four weeks and can occur from mid-April to mid-June. The counts can be very high and they can cause allergic reactions in individuals who are highly sensitized.
Gramineae- The grasses produce significant counts from mid-May to the end of July. Low counts appear around mid-April. There is another peak with significant counts in September. The grass season starts late April and lasts until late October.
Ambrosia sp.- Ragweed pollen occurs mid-July with the high counts being observed from August to early October. Pollen can be found well into November.
Urtica sp.- Nettles occur in significant numbers that may cause allergic reactions. The season is from mid-May to early September.
Plantago- The plantains are important allergens. Moderate counts occur from mid-June to mid-August. The season starts early June and ends 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 is late March to mid-October with great fluctuations in counts from day to day. This is probably due to the effect of weather. Very high counts occur in the months of May to early October.
Erysephe (Oospora)- Powdery mildew - The season with the highest counts is from May to mid-October. Mostly moderate counts are observed.
Boletus sp.- The counts for this mushroom spore do get high and may be of significance in causing allergic reactions. The season is early June to mid-October.
Coprinus sp.- This mushroom can produce very high counts from late April to mid-October. It is considered an important allergen.
Ganoderma sp.- The bracket fungus can produce very high spore counts from mid-May to mid-October. It is considered an important allergen.
Uredinales- The rusts can occur in really high numbers but not enough is known about their significance in causing allergic reactions at these levels. The main season is from mid-May to late October.
Ustilaginales- The smuts can reach high counts, and allergenicity is unknown. The main season is late April to mid-October with some high counts.
Alternaria sp.- The counts do get high and some species are known to cause allergic reactions. The season, with significant counts, is from early April to the end of October.
Penicillium & Aspergillus sp.- These spores are found throughout the whole counting season and are probably present in significant numbers beyond that. The highest counts are observed from mid-March to late fall.
Botrytis sp.- This may be a significant allergen although the counts do not get very high. The season is May to early October.
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 mid-February to well into November.
Epicoccum sp.- Some species are known to cause allergic reactions. The season is from March to the end of October with some high counts from August to early October.
Fusarium sp.- Counts are very sporadic throughout the whole counting season. The majority of the season occurs from April to mid-October with some high counts.
Helicomyces sp.- The season, with high counts, is from May to the end of September. The season is very sporadic.
Pithomyces sp.- Season is mostly in the low to moderate range from June to mid-October.
Polythrincium sp.- Allergenicity is unknown but significant counts are observed from the end of May to the end of September.
Torula sp.- Some species are known to cause allergic reactions. Moderate and some high counts are observed from late June to mid-October. Season is sporadic.
Myxomycetes- Moderate counts are observed from late April to mid-October.
Last Updated: 03-March-2006
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