Ambient air - Monitoring the effects of genetically modified organisms (GMO) - Pollen monitoring Part 1: Technical pollen sampling using pollen mass filter (PMF) and Sigma-2-sampler
This Technical Specification describes a procedure for the use of the passive samplers Sigma-2 and PMF to sample airborne pollen. Both are designed to sample coarse aerosol particles. Collected samples are used to analyse pollen input with regard to pollen type and amount@ and input of transgenic pollen. The Sigma-2 passive sampler here provides a standardized sampling method for direct microscopic pollen analysis and quantifying the input of airborne pollen at the site. The PMF yields sufficient amounts of pollen to additionally carry out molecular-biological diagnostics for detection of GMO. Essential background information on performing GMO monitoring is given in VDI/Guideline 4330 Part 1 [4]@ which is based on an integrated assessment of temporal and spatial variation of GMO cultivation (sources of GMO)@ the exposure in the environment and biological/ecological effects. Ideally@ the pollen sampling using technical samplers for GMO monitoring should be undertaken in combination with the biological collection of pollen by bees (CEN/TS 16817-2). The application of technical passive samplers and the use of honey bee colonies as active biological collectors complement each other in a manifold way when monitoring the exposure to GMO pollen. Technical samplers provide results regarding the pollen input at the sampling site in a representative way@ whereas with biological sampling by honey bee colonies@ pollen from flowering plants in the area is collected according to the bees' collection activity. Thus@ this method represents GMO exposure to roaming insects. By combining the two sampling methods these two main principles of exposure are represented. Furthermore@ a broad range of pollen species is covered. The sample design depends on the intended sampling objective. Some examples are given in 6.2.