Analysis of Artemisia pollen season in selected cities of Poland in 2022

Artemisia pollen is an important source of allergens responsible for inhalant allergy symptoms in late summer. The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of the Artemisia pollen season in 2022 in selected cities located in different regions of Poland: Bialystok, Cracow, Lublin, Olsztyn, Opole, Piotrków Trybunalski, Sosnowiec, Szczecin, Warsaw and Wroclaw. Pollen concentrations were recorded using the volumetric method with a Hirst-type sampler operating in continuous volumetric mode. The beginning of Artemisia pollen season was in the second half of July in all monitored cities, and the end of the season at the latest at the end of the first half of September (14th in Piotrkow Trybunalski). The average length of the pollen season, determined with the 98% method, was 45 days. In all cities, maximum daily pollen concentrations were recorded in the first half of August, with Cracow, Lublin, Olsztyn, Sosnowiec and Warsaw in the first decade of the month. The highest daily concentration was recorded in Opole (78 pollen/m3), followed by Szczecin (72 pollen/m3). The average SPI for the Artemisia season was 486.7. Artemisia pollen production in analyzed cities in 2022 was lower than in years 2018–2020.