[A comparative study between real time monitor KH-3000 and conventional Durham sampler measuring airborne pollen]

Real time monitoring of airborne pollen has gradually increased because monitoring is laborsaving and provides better real-time information. A problem arose, however, due to differences between the KH3000 (Yamato Co. Ltd) monitor and the conventional Durham sampler pointed out in results of airborne pollen monitoring in Wakayama in 2004. We compared the two monitors for airborne pollen in Wakayama in 2004, which less dispersed than usual. The peak monitored by the KH-3000 monitor was not consistent with the prime period of Japanese cedar and cypress pollen dispersion, especially in February and April, although they correlated highly in March. The inconsistency in February is thought to be caused by snow, and that in April by falsely monitoring beech-tree airborne pollen-which is similar in size-in addition to Japanese cedar and cypress pollen. This report points out the need to take these conditions (snow and other plants pollen) into account when a real time monitor is used for collecting pollen information.