A COMPARISON OF POLLEN RECOVERY BY 3 MODELS OF THE ROTOROD SAMPLER

Background: During the past 15 years, three models of the Rotorod Samp ler have been manufactured for aeroallergen sampling. Although several studies have considered pollen recovery by specific Rotorod models, n one explored inter-model sampling differences. Objective: The purpose of this present investigation was to compare pollen recovery by three Rotorod models that are widely used by allergists. Methods: Two Model 85s, two Model 95s, and two Model 40s were installed 1.5 m above the f lat rooftop of a surburban 3-story office building. Fifty atmospheric samples collected between June and August 1996 were analyzed according to the standard conventions suggested by the manufacturer, Difference s in pollen recovery were evaluated using an analysis of variance foll owed by Duncan's multiple range test, Results: Pollen counts ranged fr om 7.4 to 406.8 pollen grains per cubic meter of air. Differences in p ollen recovery by the six devices were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Pollen counts obtained with three models of the Rotorod S ampler were generally similar and could be compared directly, This stu dy demonstrated continuity in the performance of the Rotorod Sampler o ver successive generations of the device.