A Review of Pollen Counting Networks: From the Nineteenth Century into the Twenty-first Century.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pollen is enormously important to the human experience. As pollen became germane to human health in the late nineteenth century, methods for pollen collection and measurement were developed. Techniques were standardized and pollen counting networks were established in many parts of the world during the middle to late part of the twentieth century. With some notable exceptions, the technology of the 1950s and 1960s is presently employed to create the current pollen counting networks. Pollen counting networks in the past faced substantial challenges. Pollen counting networks using the same technology as the past face the same challenges.

RECENT FINDINGS: As we move into the twenty-first century, automated pollen counting technology enables pollen counting networks to be robust, available, scalable, self-perpetuating, and able to meet modern demands. Automated pollen measurement networks present a promising path towards a more informed, data-driven, and effective approach to managing allergens, improving crop yields, and minimizing human suffering caused by pollen. By empowering individuals with comprehensive pollen data, a feat not possible with manual counting, we can help people make informed decisions and take proactive measures to minimize exposure to allergens and improve their well-being.