A new atmospheric pollen monitoring network for South Africa

Abstract

Introduction It is estimated that 4 out of 5 children in the world are breathing unsafe air (https://www.who.int/airpollution/en/). The majority of focus around air quality examines air pollutants like SO2, CO, and particulate matter with attendant health problems. However, there are other bioaerosols such as pollen and fungal spores that also affect health. Modelling data from Europe indicate that climate change will dramatically increase pollen levels by as much as 4-5 fold (Katelaris and Beggs 2018). Greater attention to this aspect of air quality is thus urgently needed in South Africa.