ATHENS, July 20 (AFP) - Greek doctors have set up a website offering information on the concentration of allergy causing microscopic agents in the air of Athens and two other Olympic cities during the August 13-29 Games.
"Sensitive athletes may encounter problems with allergic symptoms that could be devastating for them, after years of training and preparation," said Dimitris Gioulekas, professor of pneumology at the University of Salonica.
Website "aeroallergen.gr" is updated every three days and features the concentration of such agents, called aero-allergens, in Athens, Salonica and Heraklio, Gioulekas told AFP.
"15 to 20 percent of all athletes suffer from allergies in the respiratory system. The main aero-allergens cause asthma and rhinitis, which could affect athletes' performance," he added.
Concentration of two types of fungi spores are high in the Athens air in August: alternaria, which can cause hay fever and asthma; and cladosporium, another common cause of respiratory problems which can also be an agent for hypersensitivity diseases.
Concentration of ragweed and goosefoot pollen grains usually peak in the summertime in Salonica and Heraklio, where preliminaries of the Games' football tournament will be played.