ABSTRACT
The defense response of our immune systems may result in clinical symptoms of allergenicity which can be debilitating, the central focus in the lives of many allergy sufferers. This chapter discusses the mechanisms of airborne plant allergens, describes sources, and explains a spectrum of sampling methods. It also describes the predominant symptoms, observed in environmental situations, in order of prevalence within the population. Where exposed to unusually high levels of an allergen, an allergy sufferer may develop a systemic reaction where general aching is the primary symptom. The environmental professional may seek to perform some local comparisons, initially and routinely, should the purpose be to provide information to the public. There is an attempt at the present by the National Allergy Bureau, a program under the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, to certify/supervise readers and report collected airborne mold spore and pollen data from the various certified stations throughout the United States.
