A simple procedure for the photometric evaluation of incidental findings on the recording strips of the Burkard pollen-and-spore trap

Summary Reference is made to a procedure for evaluating certain incidental findings presented by particles of soot or dust on the adhesive strips of the Burkard pollen-and-spore trap or the slides of the similar Hirst apparatus. For this an evaluating device is recommended that is generally used for pherograms in large hospitals today. The often very noticeable streaks of soot or dust particles on the adhesive layer can be assessed with this method. Furthermore, it is possible to determine the time of the occurrence of the particles and possibly to relate them to the velocity and direction of the wind, and also eventually to detect the source of the polluting material.Acknowledgments. We would like to thank Prof. R. Schuppli, director of the Dermatological Department of the Basel Cantonal Hospital, for making it possible to carry out extended monitoring of airborne particles. Our special thanks go to Dr H.P. Rieder, head of the protein-testing laboratory of the Basel Cantonal Hospital, for enabling the examinations with the pherogram evaluator to be made. Finally, we wish to thank the Swiss National Foundation for the Advancement of Scientific Research who has made a grant-in-aid available to Dr R.M. Leuschner for monitoring airborne particles.