On the Roof of the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and the Elkerliek Hospital in Helmond, SO-Called Pollen Poles Were Placed on Thursday. These Measure the Number of Pollen in the Air in real-time, as well as the types of pollen. They are intended to any large replace the old system.
Almost one in Four Dutch People Suffer from Hay Fever Symptoms Annually Due to Tree or Grass Pollen. Many Hay Fever Patients Use the So-Called Hay Fever Radar to See How Much Pollen is in the Air and Whether they need to take medication.
For fifty years, Pollen Has Been Manually counted in Leiden and Helmond. Researchers use a type of vacuum cleaner that sucks pollen from the air. “The Pollen then Sticks to a Roll with Vaseline. The Roll Rotates a Small Amount Each Day and Thus Captures Pollen from All Sides,” A Spokesperson for the Lumc Explained to Nu.nl.
Once a Week, Researchers Replace the Old Roll with a New One. The Old Roll is studied for the amount and types of pollen that have stuck to it. The Video Below Shows How the Current Counting is Done:
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Fifty-Year-Old Technique: Roll with Vaseline Behind the Hay Fever Radar
With the old Measurement, The Hay Fever Radar is always a week behind. The New Pollen pole should change that. Accordance to the lumc spokesperson, it is a swiss machine that uses artificial intelligence (AI) “in real time.”
Every Pollen Grain Has a Different Shape. “And there are many different types,” The Spokesperson Says. The New Machine Can Distinguish Between the Different Pollen thanks to holographic images. Ai also looks at how pollen reflects and illuminates light.
Still in the Test Phase
The New Pollen Counter is still in a test phase. The Two Old Machines Will Remain in Place as a Hold and to Provide Information to AI. The Reliability of the New System Will Be Examined about the Next Two Years. If the System is Watertight, the Data Will be made available to the public.
Accordance to the spokesperson, The New System Can Be Very Useful for Hay Fever Patients. “It should ultimately provide a faster and sharper pollen count,” he says. People can then make a connection between their symptoms and their medication earlier. Or they can better plan activities on a day.