Anisha Riggs
Burning incense is a popular practice in many cultures, but recent research suggests that it may have negative health effects. While the underlying mechanisms are still being studied, incense smoke contains pollutants that can be harmful to the lungs and respiratory system. These pollutants include particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, musk ketones, musk xylenes, musk ambrette, aldehydes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and diethylphthalate (DEP). These compounds can cause respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, asthma, and inflammation of the lungs, as well as potentially more serious issues like lung cancer and heart disease. While the risk of cancer is generally considered small, especially in normal amounts, the largest study on the topic found a link between heavy incense use and cancer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Respiratory symptoms | Shortness of breath, wheezing, asthma, inflammation of the lungs, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergic rhinitis |
| Particulate matter | Ultrafine particles, PM10-2.5, particles ≤ 2.5 μm diameter |
| Health effects | Respiratory dysfunction, increased hospital admissions, morbidity, mortality, lung cancer, upper respiratory tract carcinomas, lung carcinomas, heart disease, cognitive issues, asthma in children and adolescents, respiratory allergies, impaired lung function |
| Chemical composition | Carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, benzene, aldehydes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, musk ketones, musk xylenes, musk ambrette, diethylphthalate, oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species |
| Populations at risk | Temple workers, people who burn incense indoors, pregnant women, older adults, smokers |
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What You'll Learn
Incense smoke contains carcinogens and irritants
Burning incense is a popular practice worldwide, with approximately half of the populations across South-East Asia burning incense at home daily. Incense smoke contains particulate matter that is easily inhaled and can have negative health outcomes.
The particulate matter in incense smoke includes volatile organic compounds, musk ketones, musk xylenes, musk ambrette, aldehydes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These incense smoke pollutants are toxic to the lungs and allergenic to the skin and eyes. They can also cause respiratory dysfunction.
A 1966 study by Sturton et al. found a high incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Hong Kong in male patients who burn incense compared to other malignant cases. They reported that 74.5% of the studied nasopharyngeal cancer cases and 52% of all other malignant cases were exposed to incense smoke.
A study of a Swiss church, where incense was burned, found PAHs in the sedimented dust, indicating that incense was the most significant source of these harmful chemicals. Burning incense has also been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and may affect heart tissues, deposit harmful substances in the body, and contribute to overall inflammation.
While the carcinogenic properties of incense smoke are well-established, no epidemiological studies have established a direct link between incense use and respiratory tract cancer. However, a 2021 study confirmed that some of the particulate matter in incense smoke was carcinogenic, and research associates incense use with a higher risk of cancer, specifically upper respiratory tract carcinomas and lung carcinomas.
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Burning incense is linked to respiratory diseases
Burning incense is a common practice in many cultures and religions. However, recent research has linked it to adverse health effects, particularly respiratory problems.
Several studies have found a positive correlation between incense burning and respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and asthma. For instance, a study of temple workers in Taiwan found that they had a higher prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and acute irritative symptoms, including nose and throat irritation, than a control group from a non-incense burning church. Similarly, a 2020 study linked incense burning to cognitive issues and decreased brain connectivity in older adults.
The smoke released from burning incense contains particulate matter, gases, and volatile organic compounds that can be inhaled and lead to respiratory issues. These include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, benzene, aldehydes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAH concentrations in the indoor air of a temple were found to be 27 times higher than in the outdoor air, indicating that incense burning can significantly increase indoor air pollution.
Furthermore, incense smoke has been associated with oxidative stress, which can damage vital molecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. A study on temple workers found that they had higher levels of oxidative DNA damage than control workers, suggesting that incense smoke may contribute to this damage.
While the largest study to date on the link between incense use and cancer found that the risk of cancer is very small, some studies have reported that incense smoke contains carcinogens. These studies suggest a possible link between incense use and upper respiratory tract carcinomas or lung carcinomas.
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Incense smoke may cause oxidative stress and inflammation
Burning incense is a popular practice worldwide, with many cultures burning incense for hygienic, spiritual, and health purposes. However, recent research has revealed some health drawbacks associated with incense burning.
Incense burning produces smoke, which contains gaseous and particulate products that can be inhaled. While it is difficult to isolate the health effects of the particles in incense smoke, studies have found associations between air particulate matter and adverse health effects, including respiratory symptoms and lung dysfunction.
Indeed, incense smoke has been linked to respiratory problems. For example, a study by Ho et al. investigated the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among temple workers exposed to high levels of air pollutants from incense burning. They found that working in a temple increased the risk of developing acute irritative respiratory symptoms, such as nose and throat irritation, and chronic cough symptoms.
Furthermore, incense smoke has been associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, which can have detrimental effects on the body. Oxidative stress can damage vital molecules such as DNA, and it has been linked to carcinogenesis and other pathologies. Temple workers exposed to incense smoke, for example, were found to have higher levels of a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage than control workers.
In addition, incense smoke has been shown to induce an inflammatory response. Studies using animal models have suggested that incense smoke exposure can lead to neutrophilic inflammation in the lungs, with the severity depending on the duration of exposure. This inflammation can cause respiratory complications, such as airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and impaired epithelial barrier function.
While the underlying mechanisms of these effects are still being studied, the available evidence suggests that incense smoke may have negative impacts on human health, particularly in the respiratory system.
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Incense burning increases the risk of heart disease
Burning incense is a common practice in many parts of the world. However, it has been associated with various adverse health effects, including respiratory problems and an increased risk of heart disease.
Several studies have found a link between incense burning and cardiovascular issues. A cross-sectional study of Thai-Vietnamese adults aged 35 and above found a positive association between household incense burning and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT), suggesting that incense burning may contribute to the development of cardiovascular conditions. Another study of middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals in Singapore revealed that long-term daily exposure to incense burning was associated with a 12% increased risk of cardiovascular mortality, including a 10% higher risk of coronary heart disease and a 19% higher risk of stroke, when compared to former or non-users.
The mechanisms underlying these associations are still being elucidated, but oxidative stress and inflammation appear to play a role. Incense smoke contains particulate matter, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known carcinogens and irritants. These particles can be inhaled, leading to respiratory issues and potentially affecting other organs, including the heart.
In addition to the direct health risks, incense burning can also increase indoor air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which has been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This is of particular concern in enclosed spaces, such as temples and homes, where incense burning can result in significantly higher levels of air pollutants.
While the occasional use of incense may not pose a significant risk, chronic and heavy incense burning, especially in unventilated areas, can potentially have adverse effects on cardiovascular health. Therefore, it is essential to be mindful of the potential risks and consider alternatives if you are concerned about the impact of incense burning on your heart health.
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Incense smoke is associated with impaired lung function
Burning incense is a popular activity in many cultures and has been practised for thousands of years. However, recent research highlights potential health risks associated with incense smoke inhalation.
Several studies have investigated the impact of incense smoke on respiratory health, and evidence suggests that it can lead to impaired lung function. A systematic review by Adnyana et al. (2023) found that exposure to incense smoke was associated with respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, asthma, and inflammation of the lungs. The study also reported a decrease in lung function based on FVC, FEV, PEFR, and FEF values, indicating that incense smoke adversely affects respiratory capacity.
In addition to respiratory symptoms, incense smoke has been linked to an increased risk of developing respiratory diseases. The review by Adnyana et al. (2023) identified asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and allergic rhinitis as respiratory diseases associated with incense smoke exposure. Furthermore, incense burning has been reported to generate larger quantities of particulate matter compared to cigarette smoking, and these particles can remain in the air for hours, increasing the risk of indoor air pollution.
The impact of incense smoke on lung function may be due to the presence of toxic compounds in the smoke. Incense smoke contains particulate matter, gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds, including benzene and aldehydes. These compounds can cause oxidative stress, leading to potential damage to vital molecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. Temple workers exposed to high levels of incense smoke were found to have increased levels of oxidative DNA damage biomarkers, highlighting the potential health risks associated with long-term exposure.
While the precise mechanisms underlying the effects of incense smoke on lung function require further investigation, the current evidence suggests that burning incense can have adverse respiratory consequences. It is important for individuals who regularly burn incense to be aware of these potential health risks and to consider alternatives or take preventive measures to minimise their exposure and protect their lung health.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning incense releases particulate matter that you can easily inhale, which can have negative health outcomes. It has been associated with an increased risk of respiratory diseases, including asthma, and lung cancer.
Burning incense indoors increases the levels of chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been linked to cancer. It also increases the risk of wheezing and asthma and is associated with impaired lung function.
Yes, burning incense has also been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and may affect brain health in older adults. It can also cause oxidative stress, which can lead to DNA damage and impair the body's ability to repair it.
