Richmond now has its very first pollen-counting station, which is actively collecting samples atop the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. This new tool aims to improve allergy care in a city known as one of the worst in the nation for seasonal allergies.
Why it matters: Richmond’s pollen levels have long caused discomfort for allergy sufferers, but until now, there was no local data to guide treatment. The new station’s data could lead to more precise, targeted allergy relief for residents.
State of play: Since February, the Richmond station has been part of the National Allergy Bureau’s network, joining over 80 pollen-counting stations across the U.S. Previously, the closest monitoring site was in Washington, D.C., which meant Richmond’s specific pollen profile wasn’t well understood.
With this new station, VCU researchers can collect and study local pollen grains. This will help them develop “targeted immunotherapy” tailored to what actually triggers allergies in the Richmond area.
What they’re saying: Jessica Hess, a member of the hospital’s allergy and immunology team, emphasizes the importance of the local data. “It’s the most accurate count you can obtain,” she said. “Some of our patients may have just one pollen type they are allergic to, so it’s helpful to know when it’s actually here in our airstream so we can align their treatment.”
How it works: The air sampler, mounted on the hospital roof, moves with the wind, continuously collecting airborne pollen samples. Hess then “unloads” the samples weekly and examines them under a microscope to identify different pollen types.
The collected data is reported to the National Allergy Bureau, and the public can view it anytime online. For those who want real-time updates, there’s even an email alert option to stay on top of pollen counts.
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