If you live in a city like Ottawa, you know the drill. One day we are enjoying a stroll through a local park, and the next, we are trapped indoors with itchy eyes and a box of tissues.
Most of us check the pollen forecast like we check the weather to see if we need an umbrella or an antihistamine. But have you ever wondered where those numbers actually come from? At Aerobiology Research Laboratories, we are proud to be the team behind those numbers, and we are working right here in your community.
Here is a look at the science we use to help you breathe easier.
Why Our Forecasts are Different
Most weather apps use something called predictive modelling. That is a fancy way of saying they look at the temperature and wind and then guess how much pollen should be in the air based on what happened in the past.
At Aerobiology Research Laboratories, we do things differently. We are the only professional team in North America that collects and analyzes actual daily air samples. While other apps might be about 38% accurate on a good day, our data-driven forecasts hit an 80% accuracy rate. We aren’t guessing because we are actually counting the grains ourselves.
Our Process: From the Air to Our Microscopes
How does a microscopic grain of Oak pollen from a tree in your neighbourhood end up as a data point on your phone? It is a mix of high-tech engineering and old-school biology that we have perfected over the years.
- The Collection: We manage a network of over 30 stations across Canada. These stations use specialized equipment that traps ambient air filled with pollen and outdoor mould on little rods on a microscopic level.
- The Lab Work: These samples come directly to our lab. This is where our aerobiologists use high-powered microscopes to identify and count every single grain of pollen and fungal spore.
- The Identification: This is the part we take the most pride in. Ragweed looks different than Birch, and Birch looks nothing like Pine. By identifying the specific species, we can tell you exactly what is blooming in your area.
- The Connection: Finally, we combine this “ground truth” data with local weather factors like wind, precipitation, and humidity plus many more variables. We also lean on our massive database of over 35 years of historical data. By comparing today’s counts to over three decades of research, we can create a reliable 3-day forecast that actually reflects what is happening outside your window.
Why We Care About Sufferers
Geography plays a huge role in allergies. Areas with dense forests and river valleys tend to trap allergens. Because we are based in a city like Ottawa, our understanding of the local plants, from the early-season maples to the late-summer ragweed, is personal to us.
When you use our Allergy Sufferers App, you aren’t just getting a high or low rating. You are getting a scientific breakdown of your specific triggers. We want you to know if it is Grass or Oak that is causing your symptoms so you can manage your day better.
The Bottom Line
We believe that knowledge is power. When you understand the science behind the forecast, you can stop simply reacting to your allergies and start staying ahead of them.
Next time you check the count and see a warning, just remember that one of our scientists just looked at a slide and compared it to 35 years of history to make sure you had that heads-up.
Stay ahead of the sneeze. Visit us at Aerobiology.ca or download our Allergy Sufferers App to get your data straight from our lab.
About Aerobiology Research Laboratories
We are more than just a data company. We are a team of scientists and researchers who have been at the forefront of Canadian aerobiology for over 35 years. Based in Ottawa, we maintain the largest and most comprehensive historical database of pollen and fungal spores in North America. Our mission is simple: we want to provide the most accurate, lab-verified information possible so that allergy sufferers across the country can live their lives with more confidence and fewer symptoms.
