Data modelling and airborne allergens
It’s important to model and monitor the prevalence of airborne allergens so that people who are sensitised can adjust their behaviours and medication.
Applies to England
CCHS navigation menu:
CCHS homepage
Topic: environmental exposures
Air-related exposure: airborne allergens
Part of: monitoring and modelling of airborne allergens
Important resources for data modelling and airborne allergens:
Monitoring and modelling airborne allergens
Modelling and monitoring aeroallergens can provide important data on their prevalence. Climate change is altering the seasonal duration and the distribution of airborne allergens like pollen and mold spores. Monitoring allows the tracking of these changes so that their impact on human health, particularly for those with respiratory allergies, can be assessed. The data can also be useful from a doctor’s perspective for diagnosis and supporting allergy sufferers to adjust their activities to avoid contact with the allergen or to begin taking medication (1). Understanding the levels of allergens in the air can help people adapt and manage their exposure and symptoms more effectively (2).
‘Artificial intelligence’ (AI) tools are increasingly being used when forecasting pollen levels. Real-time sensors have been trained with AI to identify the types of pollen which are present. This speeds up data collection and allows for real time monitoring, providing a detailed understanding of pollen concentration changes over time, and patterns and trends that result from changing climate and weather conditions. In future, there is also the potential for this technology to measure fungal spores as well (3).
Why are a team of toxicologists using AI to recognise pollen?
By monitoring and modelling airborne allergens individuals and communities can better manage the health risks from them and improve health outcomes and quality of life.
References
(1) UK Health Security Agency, ‘Health Effects of Climate Change Chapter 6: Outdoor airborne allergic pollen and fungal spores’ 2012 (viewed on 18 March 2025)
(2) Allergy UK, Outdoor Air Quality Factsheet 2021 (viewed on 1 August 2025)
(3) UK Health Security Agency, ‘How cutting-edge AI technology could hold the key to forecasting the pollen count’ 2024 (Viewed on 18 March 2025)