The development of a pollen information system for the improvement of QOL

The Kochi Prefecture Japanese Cedar and Cypress Pollen Information System (P-Net Kochi) was established in 1991 on the initiative of the Pharmaceuticals and Sanitation Division to improve the quality of life of people in Kochi Prefecture, particularly patients with pollinosis. Kochi Prefecture has the highest forests percentage (84%) in Japan. In addition, 40% of the population of the prefecture is concentrated in Kochi City. The average pollen count at 10 observation points an one year was about 20,000/cm2 during the observation period, but it exceeded 110,000/cm2 in 1995, when it was also high nationwide. Kochi Prefecture organized a system to promote people's understanding of pollinosis in connection with environmental problems, and to enlighten people on appropriate preventive measures. The system has been improved in the rapid and efficient transmission of information over the years with technological advances. The introduction of an automatic monitoring system not dependent on human labor and the support of the users proved to be indispensable for the maintenance of the system.