28 April 2023
Summary Grass, tree and weed pollen counts plummeted at all the sampled sites. Moulds were equally low, as rain and low temperatures negatively affected the pollen catch and fungal load. Loadshedding is reducing the counts, but autumn peaks are usually weeds (Artemisia, ragweed, goosefoot) and moulds. Cape Town Heavy rainfall removed pollen and fungal spores […]
20 April 2023
Summary Tree, grass and weed pollen counts were low at most sites. A small spike for weeds occurred in Johannesburg and fungal spore loads were moderate in Pretoria. Cape Town Grass, tree and weed pollen concentrations were low. Trees were palm (Arecaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), forest elder (Nuxia spp.), elm (Ulmaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were […]
14 April 2023
Summary Pollen counts were low at all sampling sites with spikes for weeds in Potchefstroom, where significant ragweed counts were recorded and Johannesburg, where mugwort counts were moderate. Cape Town Pollen concentrations were low during this sampling period. Trees include gum (Myrtaceae), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), birch (Betulaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were plantain (Plantaginaceae), […]
7 April 2023
Summary Moderate grass counts were found in Potchefstroom. A significant concentration of ragweed pollen was detected at that site as well as spikes for Alternaria, Epicoccum and Cladosporium, all allergenic moulds. Moderate mould levels were also found in Pretoria. Cape Town Very little pollen was detected during this sampling period. Low tree concentrations included gum […]
31 March 2023
Summary Grass pollen is high in Pretoria and Potchefstroom. Elevated weed counts were detected in Potchestroom and mould spores were moderate in Durban, Kimberley and Potchefstroom. Cape Town Heavy rain in Cape Town reduced the pollen and fungal spore catch. Grass was low. Low tree concentrations included birch (Betulaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) […]
24 March 2023
Summary Grasses were moderate in Pretoria and high in Potchefstroom. A strong spike for the allergenic mould, Cladosporium was seen in Potchefstroom. Cape Town Pollen concentrations were very low during this sampling period. Trees detected were gum (Myrtaceae), birch (Betulaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.), Australian pine (Casuarina spp.) and waxberry (Morella spp.). Weeds were […]
17 March 2023
Summary There is a moderate risk for grass pollen allergy in Pretoria and Bloemfontein and mould spores were significant in Durban and Pretoria. Cape Town Pollen in the atmosphere was scanty. Trees detected were elm (Ulmaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), birch (Betulaceae), white mulberry (Moraceae), Australian pine (Casuarina spp.) and waxberry (Morella spp.). Small spikes were seen […]
10 March 2023
Summary Grass pollen is increasing in some summer rainfall regions of South Africa. Increased grass levels were seen in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Kimberley. Tree and weed pollen levels are generally low. Moulds are increasing in response to higher humidity and cooler temperatures in some areas. Cape Town Tree and weed pollen concentrations were low at […]
3 March 2023
Summary Grass pollen increased to moderate levels in Pretoria, Kimberley and Potchefstroom. Most grass pollen was released in the cooler mornings in Kimberley as the maximum temperatures reached 40ºC, inhibiting pollen release. Tree pollen was moderate in Bloemfontein and ragweed was detected in Potchefstroom. Mould spores reached high concentrations in Durban. Cape Town Heavy rain […]