Why Melbourne makes you sneeze in spring
When most Australians say 'spring is in the air,' they're speaking metaphorically, as the days become longer and warmer.
Melbourne's spring air is primarily dominated by perennial ryegrass pollen, according to a new study. Researchers used DNA metabarcoding and qPCR techniques to analyze weekly air samples collected over two years. The findings showed that ryegrass DNA was by far the most abundant in Melbourne's air, with smaller contributions from other grasses like velvet, sweet vernal, and bent grasses.
This information is crucial for allergists to tailor treatments for hay fever sufferers, as some grasses are more allergenic than others. Severe spring storms can also trigger thunderstorm asthma events, which hit Melbourne on average once every seven years. The study aims to better understand the link between spring asthma symptoms and grass pollen exposure, potentially leading to more precise treatment options for hay fever sufferers.
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