A research group led by Associate Professor Matsuki (Division of Atmospheric Environmental Studies), together with Dr. Ayumi Iwata of the Meteorological Research Institute, investigated the feasibility of detecting Asian dust particles using low-cost pollen sensors. The team proposed an analytical method that enables the quantitative evaluation of long-range-transported Asian dust under real atmospheric conditions.

If objective and quantitative observation of Asian dust using low-cost sensors becomes feasible, it would contribute to the development of ground-based Asian dust monitoring and early warning systems to replace conventional visual observations. In addition, there is concern that allergic symptoms may be exacerbated when pollen and Asian dust are mixed in the atmosphere. Simultaneous observation of both pollen and Asian dust is expected to contribute to epidemiological research.

Journal: Scientific Online Letters on the Atmosphere (SOLA)
Title: A Field-Based Evaluation of Low-Cost Pollen Sensors for their Applicability to Asian Dust Detection
Authors: Ayumi Iwata, Atsushi Matsuki, Wei-Chen Kuo, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Atsushi Shimizu, Takayuki Kameda, Narihiro Orikasa
https://doi.org/10.1007/s44393-025-00002-y