Summary
Low winter temperature and rain have reduced the pollen and fungal spore (mould) loads in the air to very small amounts. There is a low risk for allergy to pollen at all the sampling sites.
Cape Town
The spore trap at this site is being repaired and means are given. At this time of year, little pollen is detected. Trees typically detected are cypress (Cupressaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina), waxberry (Morella) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds would be the daisy family (Asteraceae), mugwort (Artemisia), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds are low.
Johannesburg
No findings are available from this site. Averaged archived records show that trees at this time of year are cypress (Curessaceae), oak (Quercus) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds are likely to be the daisy family (Asteraceae), mallows (Euphorbiaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), protea (Proteaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds are low.
Pretoria
This spore trap is operating but the pollen strip did not reach the laboratory in time for analysis. Averaged past data show trees would be cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), oak (Quercus), karee (Rhus/Searsia) and willow (Salicaceae). Weeds would be the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), spurges (Euphorbiceae) and sorrel (Rumex). Moulds would be low.
Bloemfontein
No grass pollen was seen during this very cold sampling week. Low tree concentrations included false olive (Buddleja), bushwillow (Combretaceae), oak (Quercus) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and Fern Pellaeae (Pterodaceae). Moulds were scanty,
Kimberley
Little grass was detected during this sampling week. Low tree pollen concentrations included ash (Fraxinus) and weeds were sorrel (Rumex). Moulds were extremely low.
Durban
Pollen and fungal spores decreased to low loads at this sampling site. Trees included ash (Fraxinus), oak (Quercus), bushwillow (Combretaceae), Mulberry), Moraceae) and cypress (Cupressaceae). Weeds were mallows (Malvaceae).
Gqeberha
Extremely low pollen concentrations were detected this during this sampling week. Trees were waxberry (Morella) and pine (Pinaceae) and weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae). Moulds were minimal.
Potchefstroom
Pollen in all three categories was low at this site. Tree pollen included karee (Searsia/Rhus) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were low but small spikes for the allergenic mould Cladosporium are noted.
George
Low mould concentrations as ascospores increased after rain, but for most days, pollen and moulds were scarcely seen in the ambient air. Trees included gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), forest elder (Nuxia) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were mezereum (Thymelaeaceae), mugwort (Artemisia) and lily (Liliaceae).
Reference Range
Grass: Low: 0-5 Moderate: 6-20 High: 21-200
Trees: Low: 0-15 Moderate: 16-90 High: 91-1500
Weeds: Low: 0-10 Moderate: 10-50 High: 51-500
Moulds: Low: 0-900 Moderate: 900-2500 High 2500-25000
Unit: per cubic metre
