Anticipated Enhancement in Pollination Predictions: Coming Soon from Braunschweig
German Weather Service Introduces Automatic Pollen Monitors
The German Weather Service (DWD) is set to install 16 automatic pollen monitors across the country by 2027, with potential for more through partnerships [1]. This new network aims to track pollen hotspots more precisely, providing a significant benefit to the millions of pollen allergy sufferers in Germany.
The new technology works by sucking pollen from the air, concentrating it, and depositing it on a coated sample carrier. The different pollen types are then identified using AI, creating over 60,000 photos per sample [1]. This approach allows for a more accurate and timely identification of pollen, which can help allergy sufferers better manage their hay fever symptoms and plan outdoor activities accordingly.
The automatic pollen monitor functions like an automatic microscope, with the AI's decision linked to the location of the pollen on the sample carrier for quality control. This technology is expected to improve daily decision-making about exposure to pollen, potentially reducing allergic reactions and improving the quality of life for those affected by pollen allergies in Germany [1].
According to Dr. Christina Koppe, head of the climate and environmental advice department of the national weather service, this technology will benefit millions of pollen allergy sufferers in Germany [1]. Currently, around 15 percent of the German population is affected by pollen allergies, also known as hay fever.
The trend of pollen allergies is reportedly rising, and with advancing climate change, pollen-free periods are likely to become shorter in the future. Improved pollen flight information will help allergists in their treatment of patients, potentially reducing pollen allergy costs by 0.1 percent, corresponding to an annual saving of four million euros [1]. If this reduction were achieved, the measurement network would have already paid for itself in the first year of operation.
The DWD is investing around two million euros in setting up the automatic pollen monitoring network. The estimated annual costs of pollen allergies in Germany are four billion euros, making this investment a crucial step towards improving the lives of millions of Germans.
The pollen season often starts in January or February, and in very mild winters, it can start in December. With the installation of these automatic pollen monitors, the German Weather Service aims to provide timely and up-to-date pollen information to allergy sufferers, helping them to better navigate their daily lives and enjoy the outdoors during the pollen season.
[1] Source: German Weather Service (DWD) press release, February 2023.
The integration of AI in environmental science has led to the development of automatic pollen monitors, aiding the health-and-wellness sector, particularly mental health, by providing accurate pollen data for millions of allergy sufferers in Germany, potentially reducing allergic reactions and costs associated with pollen allergies. This advancement in science, driven by the German Weather Service, also contributes significantly to the study of environmental-science, as it helps understand and predict pollen distribution patterns better.
