A. Cadman et al., THE AIRKEM STUDY IN GAUTENG, SOUTH-AFRICA - THE ROLE OF THE AIRSPORA IN AN INDUSTRIAL URBAN-ENVIRONMENT, Grana, 36(3), 1997, pp. 175-179
An analysis of the airspora, comprising pollen and fungal spores, was
conducted over a two-year period in an industrial area near Johannesbu
rg. The purpose of the study was to establish the atmospheric incidenc
e, and ascertain the role of these aero-allergens in upper respiratory
tract illnesses (URI) in the area. Monitoring in the first year of th
e study was simply to establish incidence levels. Pollen exhibited two
seasons, a short but intense spring season, during which pollen from
exotic species introduced from the northern hemisphere constituted the
main allergy threat, and a longer summer season during which grasses
were dominant. Fungal spores showed one long season, extending from ea
rly summer to late autumn, with Cladosporium the main allergen. In the
second year two sites were monitored. Results indicated that lower ai
rspora counts were recorded in an area considered problematical in ter
ms of URI, while higher counts were recorded in a more salubrious area
. It was concluded that factors other than the airspora pet se were ca
usative, and that these, most likely industrially-related, could possi
bly increase the overall ill-effects of the airspora.