Combined effects of air pollution and allergens in the city of Rome

Abstract Urban green is an important aspect in the quality of life of citizens of modern cities. Nevertheless some ornamental plants cause allergic diseases in sensitive subjects that may be worsened by air pollution. Studies on air quality are usually addressed to the evaluation of single substances and their specific effects: little is known about the cumulative effect that different pollutants may have on human health. Even less is known about possible combined action of traditional air pollutants with pollen and spores that have huge effects, in terms of allergies and asthma, on citizenship of the urban areas. In this work the synergistic effect of PM 10 , PM 2.5 , NO 2 , O 3 and airborne pollens (belonging to 4 taxa : Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Graminaceae, Olea and Urticaceae) was studied in the city of Rome during six years (from 2010 to 2015). For air pollutants, concentration values recorded by air-quality monitoring network of Rome were used. Pollens and spores data were detected by the Aerobiological Monitoring Centre of the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Effects on human health were evaluated on a group of 100 patients (aged between 4 and 18) by the Allergymonitor ™ a application that records daily symptoms of hay fever, bronchial asthma and the prescribed therapies. Data collected in the medical record were processed by 2 different Symptom Medication daily Scores and compared with time series of air concentration of mentioned pollutants, pollen and spores. Statistical analysis allowed highlighting when concomitant high levels of allergenic species and air pollution occur, the influence of meteorological parameters, of the flowering calendar, of taking drugs and how these aspects affect symptoms in patients.