Home > Clinics and Services > Clinics and Departments > Allergy Asthma and Immunology

Pollen Count

Laser particle counts are the number of particles per cubic foot divided into 6 different size ranges. A laser beam literally counts the number of such particles as they are sucked past a detector. There is evidence that increased numbers of particles, particularly in the smaller ranges, are associated with heart diseases. That is why we measure it.

Friday, June 23, 2017

Contact Us

Phone: (816) 960-8885
Fax: (816) 960-8888

Friday's Comments

Our airborne grass pollen levels continue to decrease as we get into summer. The turbulent winds aloft are bringing in an unusual mix of pollen by long distance transport. The most concerning thing is the mold count remaining at the moderate range. The warm winter and early spring we had this year resulted in an early start for many fungi. As we go through wet cycles our spore potential builds until cold weather returns in the fall. Having a moderate spore level in a relatively dry part of the summer means that we have an increased probability of a lot of very high spore levels in September.

Summary

Location	Pollen (m3)	Mold (m3)
Downtown	28 (Moderate)	8955 (Moderate)

Laser Particle Counts

Size	Count (ft3)
0.3-0.5uM	854704
0.5-1.0uM	50600
1 - 5uM	15387
5-10uM	1243
10-25uM	134
>25uM	6

Top 5 Pollens

Pollen	Count	Percent
Grass	13	28.89%
Chenopod	7	15.56%
Other Tree Pollen	3	6.67%
Linden	2	4.44%
Juniper and Chenopod	20	44.44%

Top 5 Molds

Mold	Count	Percent
Cladosporium	6153	68.71%
Basidiospores	1011	11.29%
Smuts	751	8.39%
Alternaria	520	5.81%
Ascospores and other mold	520	5.81%

Disclosure

Pollen and mold counts are collected at Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics Hospital Hill location using a Hirst spore trap manufactured by Burkard Limited. Results are expressed as the mean value of the particles per cubic meter and represent an integrated 24 hour collection. These results may be published for media purposes provided the Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics logo is used to acknowledge the source. Written authorization must be provided for commercial use of the results. For a recorded count, call (816) 346-1331.