AIRBORNE BIOLOli RIALS 



variables, and particle type. Such 

 studies would permit estimation of 

 the probable range of error caused by 

 considering a sample representative 

 of a wider region or a different time 

 period. Peak-to-mean concentration 

 ratios should be studied so that short- 

 period concentrations can be esti- 

 mated from longer-period means with 

 some statistical reliability. 



Finally, the efficiency of the human 

 nose as an aeroallergen sampler 

 should be investigated to aid in relat- 

 ing measurements of ambient con- 

 centration to allergic symptoms. Some 

 allergists believe it is more important 

 to determine what is being inhaled 

 than to determine accurately what is 

 in the air. A sampler simulating the 

 human breathing and retention mech- 

 anisms should be worth developing. 



Further studies involving aeroaller- 

 gen sampling that might be expected 



to result in advances in knowledge 

 and methods include: 



1. Studies of the relationships be- 

 tween aeroallergen concentra- 

 tions and pollinosis or other 

 health effects. 



2. Studies of the effect of weed- 

 control programs on local con- 

 centrations of an aeroallergen. 

 Such studies should include 

 adequate before-and-after sam- 

 pling with appropriate sam- 

 plers. Weed-control programs 

 would not seem useful unless 

 preliminary measurements of 

 both locally produced pollen 

 and that transported into the 

 area from outside sources indi- 

 cate that reduction of locally 

 produced pollen would cause 

 a medically significant decrease 

 in over-all concentrations. 



3. Studies of the production, re- 



lease, transport, dispersion, and 

 removal of aeroallergens from 

 known sources. 



4. Studies designed to evaluate 

 the efficiency of natural par- 

 ticle-removal mechanisms such 

 as washout by precipitation or 

 impaction by vegetation (green- 

 belts, shelterbelts, or forests). 



5. Surveys of the incidence and 

 concentration of aeroallergens 

 as a function of time, meteoro- 

 logical conditions, and other 

 pertinent variables. 



Since individual allergists and their 

 societies have shown a marked reluc- 

 tance to adopt new and improved 

 methods for sampling aeroallergens, 

 public agencies should set an example 

 by taking the lead in using and 

 recommending the most appropriate 

 of these devices. 



349 



