Air Quality: Pollen

Background

Outdoor and indoor air pollution is estimated to result in 7 million premature deaths annually, and causes chronic respiratory disease (CRD) such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This health burden is disproportionally borne by people living in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), where shared causes, characteristics, and trans-boundary effects have been observed.

Our research into air quality as a preventable risk factor in Malaysia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka aims to develop a consistent exploration of synergetic interventions to mitigate it impact of poor air quality, using the "ecosystems-enriched Drivers, Pressures, State, Exposure, Effects, Actions (eDPSEEA)" conceptual model as a framework for exploring interventions at individual, community, regional and policy levels for common environmental risk factors.

This project, based in Pakistan, will focus on reducing seasonal allergy and asthma induced by pollen.

Aim and Impact

This project aims to reduce pollen induced asthma and allergy events in in Islamabad and nearby cities, using a mobile phone app with locally developed thresholds for vulnerable groups.

Pollen prediction will be modelled using publicly available weather data, Burkard sampler-based pollen counts, and air quality data. The model will be implemented as an easy-to-use mobile app which will advise vulnerable individuals to take precautionary measures when needed. The mobile app will be pre- and post- tested to assess the benefits to pollen allergy and asthma patients.

Both this project and the air quality study taking place in Malaysia will enable the development of effective mHealth apps used to raise awareness of, and modify the risk of exposure to local sources of poor air quality. Knowledge sharing from these projects could facilitate the development of interventions with this eDPSEEA approach in in other countries.

Related Links

Learn about the complementary study, Air Quality: Haze, based in Malaysia.