The Dangers of Burning Incense

In the ancient world, the burning of frankincense and myrrh may have had some hygienic functions, repelling mosquitoes and other insects. But modern incense burning, often for longer periods of time, can carry health risks as well. Among them are particulate matter, gas products and organic compounds that can cause air pollution. These can be absorbed by the respiratory tract and cause respiratory disease and other health problems. It’s possible to avoid harm from incense fumes by using it in a well ventilated room, and keeping it away from pets, children and people with lung conditions.

Many types of incense are used around the world. They come in sticks, bundles or loose powder. Stick incense is typically made of wood and scented herbs or flowers, such as sage, lavender or rosemary. The sticks can be natural or artificial, made of bamboo or another wood, or coated with a material such as clay.

Incense can also be made from resins, such as gum arabic or amber. It can be mixed with essential oils to produce a particular fragrance. Alternatively, it can be mixed with other incombustible materials, such as coal or charcoal. This type of incense is known as joss incense and has been used for centuries in Tibet and Nepal. It is also a popular type of incense sold by flea market and sidewalk vendors.

During the burning of incense, a large amount of particulate matter is produced as well as gaseous by-products and organic compounds. The inhalation of these irritants can lead to a variety of respiratory problems including bronchitis, asthma and runny nose. They can also irritate the eyes and skin. Aldehydes such as acrolein, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are adsorbed by particulate matter and can affect the respiratory and central nervous systems.

The burning of incense can also emit volatile organic compounds such as musk ketones, ambrette and xylenes. These compounds are toxic to the lungs and have been shown to cause eye and respiratory irritation, dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. The burning of incense can also generate carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and sulfur dioxide, which can all have adverse effects on human health.

A number of epidemiological studies have linked incense smoking with respiratory problems. One such study found that temple workers exposed to incense smoke day in and day out had a higher risk of respiratory cancers than non-temple workers, and that the risk of lung cancer was three times greater for nonsmoking females than for smokers. The cause of this remains unclear, but it could be due to the presence of DNA strand breaks in the respiratory tissue, which are known to increase cancer risk. Further studies with better controls and a larger sample size are needed.