Technical evaluation of an allergen Challenge TheatreTM

Methods A technical evaluation of the capabilities of the Red Maple Trials Allergen Challenge Theatre was performed. The theatre is a 4-zone facility holding up to 99 seats in a series of elevated rows. Grass (Phleum pratense) and ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollens were injected into the air supply and blown into the facility through ducts located across the top of the front wall. Grass and ragweed pollen concentrations were measured on impact samplers set at face level in 5 sections of a T-shaped quadrant. Concentrations were measured every 30 minutes for 150 minutes. Continuous pollen counts were also read by a laser particle counter (LPC) set to read particles > 5μm and positioned 5 feet above floor level.