Funding Source: Lazio Region – Filas Co-Research

PollenMAP was developed based on the social relevance of allergies to people’s quality of life. Allergies are the third leading cause of chronic illness after osteoporosis-arthritis and hypertension (Cittadinanza attiva, 2010 and ISTAT 2010). In Italy, an estimated 10 million people (equivalent to 20% of the population) suffer from them.

PollenMap aims to create services and products designed to support users suffering from respiratory allergies during their movements in the city of Rome, through air quality monitoring and localization of nearby assistance centers (pharmacies and allergy centers), while also enabling the acquisition of information and data useful for numerous other aspects related to the broad spectrum of allergies and respiratory disorders caused by pollen dispersion. Through the development of a web platform and a mobile application, the project aims to improve the outdoor experiences of allergic users by providing a detailed information service on all agents that can potentially cause health damage, and by providing supplementary support for planning the movements of allergic users, enhancing their environmental mastery capabilities.

Specifically, the project’s objective is to develop:
1 – A technological and georeferenced platform for the computerized and updated management of data from monitoring stations that detect pollen and pollution, which also combines data on climatic conditions and vegetation in Rome. In addition to georeferenced data, the platform will simultaneously offer additional services related to assistance centers (pharmacies, allergy centers) and a “social” function aimed at disseminating and discussing information through personalized and participatory channels.
2 – The creation of a mobile application intended to improve the outdoor experiences of allergic users through a detailed information service that provides data on all elements that trigger or contribute to the exacerbation of allergic phenomena.
3 – The implementation, analysis, integration, and spatialization of data relating to climatic conditions, vegetation, pollen flows, and atmospheric pollution using variational and geostatistical methods. The analysis of data from pollen measurement stations will enable the creation of a mapping of different species based on particulate matter measurements and air quality in the city of Rome.
4 – The implementation and development of an air quality indicator that includes pollen and traditional air quality parameters.

Isitel spa, Cartesio Srl, Department of Biology University of Rome Tor Vergata, Sapienza Innovazione