For centuries, burning incense has been in practice to perform rituals. But, this old practice can be harmful for you!
Author and content creator Keith Bishop shared a video on Instagram, stating: “Burning incense indoors increases levels of many toxic chemicals, including PAHs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Overall, studies show that exposure to burning incense increases the risk of lung cancer.
Dr Sushama Sumeet, BAMS, MD, PhD, ayurvedic physician and senior research fellow at the ICTRC Pune Integrated Cancer Treatment and Research Center agrees with Bishop, “Incense burning indoors every day, if they produce harmful chemicals such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons, carbonyl, benzene increase the risk of cancer.”
What chemicals are released into the air when incense is burned?
The composition of incense sticks varies by industry. Natural or organic incense sticks are made from fresh cow dung, charcoal, dried herbs and flowers, offering a pleasant aroma with ingredients such as Commiphora mukul exudate (guggulu), Vateria indica exudate (raal), lavender , rosemary, rose petals (Rosa centifolia), and heartwood powder (sandalwood) of the Santalum album. Natural binding agents such as ghee or jaggery are used, and bamboo skewers serve as base for dhoop sticks. These natural incenses have a mild and subtle fragrance, says Dr Sumeet.
She explains that due to the high demand for strong and long-lasting incense, synthetic incense sticks have become more popular. These are usually made from scrap wood, plywood dust, sawdust or various colored powders, using strong adhesives as binders and synthetic aromatic oils for fragrance.
Extenders such as dipropylene glycol are often used commercially to dilute fragrance oils. Burning synthetic incense sticks it can emit particulates, aerosols, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, toluene, carbonyls, benzene, aldehydes and other potentially harmful substances, adds Dr Sumeet.
Health hazards associated with inhaling smoke from burning incense
Long-term continuous burning of incense sticks or any other form can cause watery eyes, allergic dermatitis and upper respiratory tract diseases like cancer, mentions Dr Sumeet.
Studies investigating the link between incense burning and cancer risk
Dr Sumeet adds that several epidemiological studies have been conducted worldwide. A case-control study including 1,208 lung cancer patients and 1,028 community referents in China concluded that exposure to incense smoke increases the risk of lung cancer in smokers, with additional exposure to radon further increasing the risk (Yu IT et al., 2011). Another study focused on temple workers in Thailand found that exposure to carcinogens from burning incense may increase the risk of developing cancer (Ruchirawat et al., 2008).
She notes that a retrospective case-control study by Yu IT et al. (2014) showed that poor home ventilation may reinforce the association between incense burning and risk of nasopharyngeal cancer.
How does indoor ventilation affect the hazards associated with burning incense?
“A study showed that known combustion products from incomplete combustion of organic matter that are released during slow burning are problematic. Therefore, proper ventilation or airing of the room will reduce the concentration of combustion residues in the air below the critical concentrations and sufficient aroma remains with the desired effects,” says Dr Sumeet.
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