Cupressaceae pollen in the atmosphere of alentejo: Disruption of pollen grain during air transport

Abstract

Cupressaceae family include several species that are widely used as ornamental plants pollinating in late winter-early spring, depending on the temperature. Despite being considered moderately allergenic, it might be responsible for winter allergic outbreaks. As ornamental trees, they are found scattered throughout the territory but are more abundant in pockets of wild forest, outside Alentejo. Despite being more common in mountain, this pollen type is captured in considerable amounts in Alentejo, Portugal, where its aerobiological features and allergenic impacts are poorly characterized. The aim of this work is to characterize the aerobiology of Cupressaceae pollen, to evaluate the effect the meteorological conditions and the source of this allergenic pollen type in the atmosphere of Evora, Alentejo.