May 15, 2026
Quantifying Aerosolized Pollen Using a Handheld Air Particle Counter
- Benjamin Lazarus1,
- Agnes Dellinger1,
- Viktoria Wieser1,
- Benjamin Fieber1
- 1University of Vienna
- Benjamin Lazarus' work space
Protocol Citation: Benjamin Lazarus, Agnes Dellinger, Viktoria Wieser, Benjamin Fieber 2026. Quantifying Aerosolized Pollen Using a Handheld Air Particle Counter. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.x54v9b2mpl3e/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: January 21, 2026
Last Modified: May 15, 2026
Protocol Integer ID: 239094
Keywords: quantifying aerosolized pollen, quantifying airborne pollen, airborne pollen, handheld air particle counter this protocol, handheld air particle counter, pollen, pollen source, particle counting, samples particle, samples particles via vacuum, optical detection, based optical detection
Funders Acknowledgements:
Austrian Science Fund (FWF)
Grant ID: AP36766
Abstract
This protocol describes a generalized method for quantifying airborne pollen using a handheld air particle counter that samples particles via vacuum-assisted airflow and laser-based optical detection. The protocol focuses exclusively on particle counting and data handling and is designed to be compatible with a wide range of pollen sources and experimental contexts in which pollen becomes aerosolized.
Guidelines
Maintain consistent sampling duration, intake positioning, particle size binning, and device cleaning procedures across measurements. Use identical device settings throughout a study and clean the device using the supplied filter between sampling sessions.
Materials
ParticlesPlus 8506-30 handheld air particle counter
Device Preparation and Configuration
Attach the manufacturer-supplied particle filter to the air intake.
Run the particle counter for 60 seconds, or until zero particles are detected across all size bins, to remove residual particles from the internal air pathway.
Removal of the sampling nozzle prior to measurements is recommended, as this can reduce internal surfaces where pollen grains may adhere and allows the effective sampling volume to be positioned as close as possible to the air intake.
Ensure that the air outlet of the particle counter remains unobstructed during sampling, as blocking the outlet will reduce the internal flow rate and may bias particle counts.
Particle Size Configuration
Configure particle size bins to encompass the expected pollen grain size range.
A recommended binning scheme includes:
0.5–10 µm
10–15 µm
15–20 µm
20–25 µm
25–30 µm
30 µm
If pollen size is known a priori, bin boundaries may be adjusted to better match the expected pollen diameter distribution.
Background and Control Measurements
Place the particle counter at the intended sampling position and run the counter for the full sampling duration in the absence of an active pollen source.
Confirm that particle counts above the pollen size threshold are negligible.
During extended sampling sessions, repeat background checks to ensure that airborne pollen or other particles are not accumulating in the surrounding air column.
Sampling Procedure
Position the particle counter intake at a fixed location relative to the airborne pollen source.
Ensure that the intake is unobstructed and not in contact with any surfaces.
Initiate sampling immediately before the expected presence of airborne pollen.
Sample for a predefined and consistent duration.
Record particle counts across all size bins.
Environmental Measurements (Optional)
Many handheld particle counters are equipped with integrated temperature and relative humidity sensors. While not required for pollen quantification, these measurements may be recorded alongside particle counts, as ambient conditions can influence particle behavior, aggregation, and transport in air.
Data Processing and Interpretation
Estimate total pollen counts as the sum of particles exceeding a lower size threshold appropriate for pollen grains, commonly greater than 10 µm.
Examine the proportion of particles detected in the largest size bin.
A high proportion of oversized particles may indicate clumping or aggregation of pollen grains, which can lead to undercounting of total pollen grains if multiple grains are detected as a single particle.
If oversized particles constitute a substantial fraction of detected particles, a correction factor may be required to estimate true pollen counts. The appropriate correction will depend on the mean number of pollen grains per aggregate.
Replication and Standardization
Maintain consistent sampling duration, intake positioning, particle size binning, and device cleaning procedures across measurements. Use identical device settings throughout a study and clean the device using the supplied filter between sampling sessions.
Expected Outcomes
This protocol enables rapid, non-contact quantification of airborne pollen using a handheld air particle counter. It provides real-time measurements with minimal labor time and can be readily applied across diverse experimental and natural settings where pollen becomes aerosolized.