National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit

National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit
NPARU
Location within Worcestershire
Former names	National Pollen and Hayfever Bureau, National Pollen Research Unit
General information
Type	Microbiology Research Centre
Address	Worcester, WR2 6AJ
Coordinates	52°11′51″N 2°14′38″W / 52.1975°N 2.244°W / 52.1975; -2.244
Elevation	30 m (98 ft)
Current tenants	NPRU
Completed	2009
Inaugurated	2 December 2009
Cost	£7m
Technical details
Floor count	2
Floor area	15,000 sq m
Design and construction
Architect	BDP

The National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit or NPARU^[1] is a research institute in Worcester. It produces the UK's pollen count, and was the world's first pollen forecasting service.

History[]

Aerobiology is the study of organic particles and organisms in the atmosphere. The National Pollen and Hayfever Bureau was founded in Norwich on 21 April 1983. Forecasts for Britain's six million sufferers of hay fever (allergic rhinitis) began from 1 June 1983; it was funded by Fisons Pharmaceuticals.^[2] Most hay fever sufferers are aged 15–24 in the months of June and July. Treatments are Beconase (beclometasone dipropionate) and Flixonase (fluticasone propionate). In May 1984 it was about to close when funding by Fisons was withdrawn; the centre continued with funding from Fisons.

Clarityline, a 24-hour helpline for the pollen count began in April 1994.^[3]

It became the National Pollen Research Unit, and moved to Worcester. The new building was officially opened on 2 December 2009 by Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.^[4]

Function[]

Its pollen forecasts are produced in collaboration with the Met Office.

Structure[]

It is housed in the Charles Darwin Building, designed by the Building Design Partnership.^[5] It was built in 2009 at a cost of £7m. It is situated in the west of Worcester, off the A443 and north of the .

See also[]

• Asthma UK (former Asthma Research Council) and Allergy UK (former British Allergy Foundation)
• National Respiratory Training Centre at Warwick, Education for Health^[6]
• Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital

References[]

External links[]

• Met Office pollen forecast