Ambee collects raw data from its thousands of on-ground sensors and multiple earth observations satellites and integrates them into a series of models. These proprietary models first clean & sort the data and then co-relate it with insights that will strengthen the accuracy of the final product. This process results in high-resolution, highly granular, and accurate real-time pollen data.

1. Checking Pollen Count Today? Here’s
Everything to Know About Pollen Allergy-
Proofing Now

2. Did you know that the first recorded pollen count was around the 1700s by an English microscopist.
The first pollen-related allergy was identified in 1565 by Leonardo Botallo, an Italian-born Frenchman.
The gap between identifying the pollen allergy and classifying the cause took about 200 years. After
almost 500 years since the first case of pollen allergy, we still rely on manual methods of pollen count
measurements.
But, first, let’s understand what pollen count means & why we should measure it?
Pollen is a powdery grain-like substance that’s produced by plants for the process of reproduction. The
pollen count is a measurement of the number of pollen grains found in the air. It is important to
measure pollen count as it causes allergies such as hayfever or allergic rhinitis.
What is the most popular method to measure pollen count today?
The RotorodTM is an air sampling device with silicone-grease-coated clear rods that rotate to collect
the pollen grains in the air. Every day, two pollen collector rods are placed in the RotorodTM Sampler.
The rods are greased lightly to capture and retain the pollen grains present in the air. The Rotorod
sampler spins the rods through the air for 60 seconds at every 10 min interval exposing the rods to
capture pollen for 6 mins/hr. The pollen captured on the rods is collected the following day for
But, first, let’s understand what pollen count
means
& why we should measure it?

3. And who counts the pollen grains daily?
 What’s surprising about manual pollen tracking is that
there are no government-installed measurement
stations. All across the US, private companies handle
the task of collecting and providing pollen data to
consumers. According to the American Academy of
Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), any individual
can become a pollen tracker after taking a certification
exam.
 After using the Rotorod sampling method, the pollen
counters will divide the collected pollen grains into three
significant categories: low, standard, and high. The type
of pollen grains is first identified as grasses, molds,
trees, and weeds. Later, they are counted to determine
whether they are primarily found or vice versa.

4. What values are considered high pollen
count?
 Trees 90 – 1499
 Grass 20 – 199
 Mold 13,000 – 49,000
 Weed 50 – 499

5. What values are considered low pollen
count?
Rees 1 – 14
Grass 1 – 4
Mold 1 – 6499
Weed 1 – 9

6. Then, what is a standard pollen
count?
 The standard pollen count for an area is the average pollen count found in the
region. The pollen values are averaged to the type of pollen by the pollen
trackers. This average value is considered the standard pollen near a region.
What are the steps you need to take if your pollen count is high?
Some of these tried & tested ways to manage seasonal allergies during high
pollen levels. They are
Reduce your exposure to the things that trigger your allergies
Make sure to keep the air indoors clean
Stay updated on the standard pollen count in your area
The Ambee app can give you updates on the high, low, and
standard counts in your area.

7. Is manual pollen count measurement accurate?
 When using manual methods for measuring pollen count,
there are some questions that go unanswered. They are
 During what time of the day is the pollen count highest?
 How do climate and temperature affect the rise and fall of
pollen count?
 At what time during the day does the pollen count appear in
the air?
 Advanced or detailed analysis of pollen count behavior is
necessary to answer these questions. Now more than ever,
it is essential to have accurate measurement techniques as
climate change makes pollen seasons unpredictable. We
need a measuring process that reports pollen data by the
hour. Thanks to advanced analytics, earth observation
satellites, and data science techniques, there is a way to

8. Is there a solution to accurate pollen count measurement?
 Yes, there is. Most allergies are driven by
environmental factors like wind, temperature, storms,
humidity, and a particular species of plants growing in
specific areas. All plants have predictable behavior.
Some species of plants require high humidity to burst
and create allergens; others are blown away by the
force of the wind. To precisely understand when this
process will occur, the information on different
locations of all species of tree, grass, and weed
pollen is collected. With the help of machine learning
(ML), this information is pulled together to predict the
conditions & symptoms of allergens. This method will
first identify the best factors for your location by
considering the atmospheric conditions and predict
pollen count.

9. How does Ambee provide its pollen count?
 Ambee collects raw data from its thousands of on-
ground sensors and multiple earth observations
satellites and integrates them into a series of
models. These proprietary models first clean &
sort the data and then co-relate it with insights that
will strengthen the accuracy of the final product.
This process results in high-resolution, highly
granular, and accurate real-time pollen data.

10. How is the pollen count data measured today by
Ambee different?
 There is an extensive list of uncertainties related to
manual pollen count measurement. The Rotorod
technique provides pollen counts for a limited area and a
fixed period (daily). But a method that pretty much gets
data directly from the source–the atmosphere has much
more advantages.
 The pollen count API gives accurate insights into
variations in seasons across the globe.
 Research-backed data science techniques and ML
algorithms are much more constant and accurate when
compared with manual counting of pollen grains. (There is
an added human error involved too)
 Pollen count data from this technology has a high
resolution down to street-by-street level and can give
alerts at hourly intervals.
 Since satellite data does the collection, the pollen count

11. A Dataset That Helps The World Heal
 The constant evolution of pollen count
measurement has been nothing but promising. We
believe that this cutting-edge technology powered
by scientifically validated datasets can potentially
transform the lives of millions.
 Using real-time pollen data, we can prevent future
risks associated with pollen allergies. We can
identify trends and build better action plans with
historical pollen data. The possibilities are endless
when it comes to the application of pollen data.