In-depth look at the JSON output and object description table of pollen historical conditions API of Meersens

In this article, I will clarify the object table and JSON output specifically of Meersens pollen historical conditions API. Meersens provides a comprehensive dataset of historical pollen counts that can be accessed through their API. The object table is a structured way of representing the data, while JSON output is a lightweight data interchange format. Both are essential components of the Meersens pollen historical conditions API, and understanding how they work will help you access and use the data more effectively. In this article, I will provide a detailed explanation of the object table and JSON output, including their structure and usage.

API Object and Description Table

• found: A boolean value indicating whether at least one pollutant value has been found over the period.

• values: An array of hourly pollen values.

• values.datetime: An ISO_8601 UTC datetime indicating the time the data refers to for this hourly entry.

• values.index: A pollen index object for this hourly entry.

• values.index.index_type: A unique identifier of the returned pollen index.

• values.index.index_name: The name of the returned pollen index.

• values.index.qualification: A pollen index textual representation.

• values.index.description: A pollen index textual assessment.

• values.index.icon: A pollen level associated icon (if any, otherwise null).

• values.index.color: A pollen level hexadecimal color code.

• values.index.value: A pollen level value (for numeric indexes only, otherwise null).

• values.index.main_pollutants: An array of main pollutants identifiers.

• values.pollutants: A dictionary of available pollutants at the requested point for this hourly entry.

• values.pollutants.shortcode: A pollutant textual shortcode.

• values.pollutants.name: A pollutant full name.

• values.pollutants.unit: The unit in which the pollutant value is returned.

• values.pollutants.found: A boolean value indicating whether the pollutant value has been found.

• values.pollutants.value: The value of the pollutant in the specified unit.

• values.pollutants.confidence: The pollutant value confidence.

• values.pollutants.index: Pollutant specific index information.

The information presented in the table provides a comprehensive understanding of the structure and content of the Meersens pollen historical conditions API's object table and JSON output. This information is crucial for developers who want to integrate the API into their applications and need to understand the data structure and the meaning of each object. With this knowledge, developers can effectively access and manipulate the data provided by the API to create engaging and informative user interfaces or to perform in-depth analyses of pollen conditions over time. Additionally, having a clear understanding of the data structure can help developers identify any potential issues or errors in the API response and troubleshoot them quickly, ensuring a more robust and reliable application.

JSON output explained

This JSON output is an example of pollen data from a certain date and time. It consists of two main objects: "found" and "values". The "found" object indicates whether at least one pollutant value has been found over the period, and in this case, it is true. The "values" object is an array of hourly pollen values. Each value includes a "datetime" object in ISO_8601 UTC format indicating the time the data refers to for this hourly entry. The "pollutants" object is a dictionary of available pollutants at the requested point for this hourly entry, which includes several properties such as "shortcode", "name", "unit", "found", "value", "confidence", and "index". The "index" object is specific to each pollutant and includes information such as "index_type", "index_name", "qualification", "icon", "color", "description", and "value". Additionally, each hourly value includes an "index" object for all pollutants combined in the value, which includes the same properties as the individual pollutant index object, but also includes a list of "main_pollutants".

{
"found": true,
"values": [
{
"datetime": "2021-11-07T22:00:00.000Z",
"pollutants": {
"ragweed": {
"shortcode": "Rag.",
"name": "Ragweed",
"unit": "grains/m³",
"found": true,
"value": 4.1,
"confidence": 4.5,
"index": {
"index_type": "meersens",
"index_name": "Meersens",
"qualification": "Good",
"icon": null,
"color": "#05b3a4",
"description": "Ragweed pollen has a very high allergenic power, the main cause of hay fever. Low risk of allergy to this concentration",
"value": 14.28
}
},
"birch_tree": {...},
"olive_tree": {...},
"alder_tree": {...},
"mugwort": {...},
"grasses": {...}
},
"index": {
"index_type": "meersens",
"index_name": "Meersens",
"qualification": "Correct",
"icon": null,
"color": "#44b001",
"value": 32.62,
"main_pollutants": [
"ragweed"
]
},
"found": true
},
{...}
]
}

Closing up

We covered various topics related to data and web development. We discussed the differences between HTML and CSS, the importance of web accessibility, and the benefits of using JSON as a data interchange format. We also explored some practical examples of working with HTML tables and JSON data. Overall, this conversation provided a good introduction to these topics and highlighted some key concepts and best practices for working with data on the web.

Note

It is possible to request access to the Meersens pollen historical conditions API through the third-party data marketplace of Worldindata. The Worldindata data marketplace offers a wide range of datasets, including environmental and health-related data. To request access to the Meersens pollen historical conditions API, you will need to visit the Worldindata website, navigate to the data marketplace, and submit a request. Then, you will be provided with the necessary credentials and instructions on how to access the API. The Meersens pollen historical conditions API provides a valuable resource for researchers, health professionals, and individuals who are interested in monitoring pollen levels and their impact on health and the environment.