Aerobiology station

Pollen count measurement

The Ministry of Health and Social Security finances the aerobiology station, which is installed on the roof of the CHL and managed by allergy specialists from the hospital's national immuno-allergology department. This station measures pollen counts and concentrations of certain moulds present in the air.

The captured data is published on http://www.pollen.lu/ and is available to the general pubic. In this way, the population can be alerted to critical pollen counts that can trigger allergic reactions.

A mobile phone app has been developed to make it easy for people with allergies to track changes in allergenic risks during the pollen season. The levels of pollen in the ambient air in Luxembourg can therefore be monitored, practically in real time.

Pollen count monitoring

Pollen count monitoring enables people with allergies to:

  • better identify the probable start and end of the pollen season for the pollen that they are allergic to;
  • better plan their outdoor activities.

With this data, parents of children with allergies can also:

  • better anticipate medication that may be required to alleviate symptoms.

For those who do not yet know if they are allergic, pollen count data enables them to:

  • consider that they might have an allergy and consult a doctor.

Weather conditions and impact on the pollen count

Temperature

The hotter and drier it is, the more pollen plants release.

At lower temperatures, plants tend to produce less pollen.

Rain

When it rains, there is less pollen in the air; wet pollen cannot be carried by the air. Pollen sticks to the ground.

Wind

In windy weather, there is more pollen in the air. Pollen is transported by the wind and can travel over long distances.

Storms

The climatic and physical conditions of storms increase the concentration of pollen particles in the air, and cause plants to produce smaller pollen particles.  

The pollen explodes and release more and smaller allergens, which can get deeper into the respiratory tract and trigger asthma.

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