Chandigarh, the city famous not just for its beautiful architecture and greenery, but also now for having the first-ever Pollen Calendar (PC) in India. This significant development is a joint accomplishment of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) and Panjab University. The creation of the pollen calendar was prompted by an intensive two-year study focusing on airborne pollen and its seasonal variations.
About Pollen Calendar
Pollen Calendars (PCs) are innovative tools representing the time dynamics of airborne pollen in specific geographic regions. These calendars provide easily accessible visual information about different airborne pollen throughout a year in a single snapshot. PCs are location-specific, as their data closely represents the locally distributed flora.
Europe, UK, and the US are already leveraging regional pollen calendars to prevent and diagnose hay fever and allergic rhinitis. Additionally, PCs are instrumental in predicting the timing and severity of the pollen season.
The Pertinence of Pollen
Pollen grains are male biological structures primarily meant for fertilization. However, when inhaled by humans, they can strain the respiratory system, leading to allergies. Released by plants, pollen is responsible for widespread afflictions like hay fever, pollinosis, and allergic rhinitis.
In India, an estimated 20-30% of the population suffers from allergic rhinitis or hay fever, with around 15% developing Asthma. According to a PGIMER study, airborne pollen dominates during spring and autumn seasons, when conditions are most favorable for pollen grains’ growth, dispersion, and transmission.
Alternative Solutions
While the Pollen Calendar is a significant step forward, there are other viable approaches to tackle the issue of pollen-related allergies.
One such method includes planting monoecious plants, which have both male and female flowers on the same plant. Notable examples of these types of plants are hibiscus, lilies, and holly.
Another method is to plant trees or shrubs that release insignificant amounts of pollen or no pollen at all. Palms, nettles, safeda, white mulberry (shahtoot), congress grass, and pine, for instance, are known to have a high incidence of pollen.
Lastly, non-allergic or entomophilous plant species, such as roses, jasmine, salvia, Bougainvillea, Raat ki rani, and sunflowers can also be planted. These plants are less likely to release allergy-causing pollens into the air, making them a safer choice for populated areas.
The creation of Chandigarh’s Pollen Calendar heralds a significant milestone in India’s fight against pollen-related afflictions. By understanding and forecasting the dynamics of airborne pollen in different seasons, this innovative tool can greatly contribute to the prevention, diagnosis, and mitigation of pollen-induced allergies and conditions.