DF-PIBM Tool for Predicting Pollen Spread in Cities | 16 Apr 2026

Source:TH

The study, published in Physics of Fluids, introduces a simulation model called DF-PIBM (direct-forcing porous immersed boundary method), which can accurately predict how pollen travels through urban air. 

• This helps address rising public health concerns linked to climate change and increased urban tree cover, as airborne allergens become a significant issue due to expanding plantations for urban shade. 
• Pollen:  It is a fine, powdery substance produced by plants for reproduction, often causing seasonal allergies (hay fever) when inhaled.  
  • Released by trees (spring), grasses (summer), and weeds (fall), these microscopic grains trigger symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes.  
  • High wind and dry weather increase airborne pollen, while rain reduces it. 
• DF-PIBM: It is a computer simulation model that treats trees as porous structures, allowing air to flow through their leaves and branches.  
  • It tracks how pollen grains detach under wind pressure and move through urban environments using physical laws.  
  • The model incorporates factors such as wind speed, pressure, leaf density, and the threshold force required to detach pollen grains, enabling realistic prediction of pollen dispersion in cities. 
• Significance & Application: Scaling up this model to simulate entire neighborhoods will assist urban planners and policymakers in strategically selecting and placing tree species, mitigating respiratory health risks and designing healthier smart cities.