Vienna (OTS) – Allergy sufferers will have to be prepared for pollen at the Donauinselfest next weekend, June 21 to 23, 2024, but can hope for comparatively favorable conditions. Due to the moderate course of the grass flowering so far and the earlier start of the main flowering, most allergenic grass species have finished flowering. Peak pollen concentrations from other allergenic plants are therefore not expected from the current perspective. Visitors who are allergic to ryegrass, riding grasses and bent grasses as well as fungal spores should still take precautions, recommends the Pollen Service Vienna of the MedUni Vienna.
In particular, festival-goers “who are affected by the currently relevant allergens and have recently had increased symptoms should prepare accordingly and think about medication,” says Maximilan Bastl, head of the Vienna Pollen Service at MedUni Vienna, clarifying the recommendation.
Even though the main flowering of the grasses is already in its final stages and many allergologically relevant grass species have even already finished flowering, individual representatives of this plant can cause problems next weekend. Ryegrass, riding grass and bent grass in particular feel at home on the Danube Island. While ryegrass covers most of the meadows of the festival site, riding grass and bent grass are more likely to be found near the water on the banks of the Danube. As a common meadow inhabitant, plantain could also trigger symptoms in people who are allergic to grass pollen. “Based on our measurements, the plantain pollen season is average,” says Maximilian Bastl, explaining the current pollen situation.
The fact that the festival grounds have been mowed over a large area does contribute to a local reduction in pollen levels. When the sun is shining, increased pollen levels must still be expected locally, although this is mainly to be expected in the morning for most grasses. In the evening, there is a risk of renewed exposure, as the lack of thermals causes pollen to sink from higher layers of the atmosphere.
Fungal spores measured in large quantities
The current measurement results are strikingly high for fungal spores, largely underestimated allergens that are also highly relevant in the outer areas of urban areas. Allergy sufferers should be particularly careful about the genus Cladosporium, but also Alternaria, before visiting the Danube Island Festival: “The mold has benefited from the increased rainfall of the past few weeks, which is why the pollen trap at MedUni Vienna is currently showing above-average amounts of fungal spores,” reports Maximilian Bastl about the current situation.
Additional information:
Pollen service Vienna: https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/web/pollenservice-wien/
Forecast for the Donauinselfest: https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/web/pollenservice-wien/eventprognose-donauinselfest
The websites will be updated again before the weekend.
Inquiries & Contact:
medical university Vienna
Mag. Johannes Angerer
Head of Communications and Public Relations
+431 40160-1150, +43 664 80016 11501
johannes.angerer@meduniwien.ac.at
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