Allergic Asthma in the Municipalities of the Palynological Network of the Community of Madrid and Its Interrelation with the Concentration of Tree Pollen and Atmospheric Pollutants

Although the benefits of trees in cities are of great variety and value, attention must also be paid to the consequences for public health of the presence of pollen aeroallergens in the atmosphere, which are likely to interact with air pollutants, influencing the alteration of the immune system, facilitating allergic reactions, and enhancing the symptoms of asthmatic patients. This study analyses (using multiple linear regression calculations performed with the data analysis tool Statgraphics Centurion 19) the interaction of the concentration of six types of tree pollen (Cupressaceae, Olea, Platanus, Pinus, Ulmus, and Populus) and six atmospheric pollutants (O3, PM10 and PM2.5, NO2, CO, and SO2), on asthma care episodes in the Community of Madrid (CAM). In most of the calculated equations, the adjusted R2 value is higher than 30%, and in all cases, the P-value of the models obtained is lower than 0.0001. Therefore, almost all models obtained in the study period for asthma are statistically significant. Olea is the pollen type most frequently associated with asthma (followed by Pinus and Populus), in all the years studied. In the same period, O3 is the most common air pollutant in the equations obtained for asthma. Stronger interrelations with asthma are generally found in more urban municipalities.