Heidi Norton
Burning incense is a popular practice worldwide, with global consumption estimated to exceed 200 million tons per year. While it is often used to freshen indoor areas for spiritual or hygienic purposes, recent research has revealed potential health drawbacks. The smoke from burning incense contains hazardous chemicals, including benzene, toluene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can cause respiratory issues, eye irritation, nausea, and allergies. Studies have also found associations between incense smoke and increased cancer risk, heart disease, and adverse effects on brain health in older adults. As such, it is recommended to burn incense in well-ventilated areas and avoid direct inhalation of the smoke.
Characteristics and Values of Smoking Incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Health Impact | Inhalation of incense smoke may cause respiratory problems, eye irritation, nausea, and allergies. It has also been linked to an increased risk of asthma, cancer, and heart disease. |
| Usage | Incense is burned for various reasons, including spiritual, hygienic, and aromatic purposes. |
| Precautions | Incense should be burned in a well-ventilated area to prevent smoke buildup. It should be kept away from children and pets due to the potential hazards of flammable materials and harmful smoke inhalation. |
| Global Consumption | Incense consumption exceeds 200 million tons per year, with Asia being the largest market. |
| Health Studies | Epidemiological studies have indicated adverse effects of incense burning on lung function and an increased risk of respiratory issues. A 2021 study identified the presence of carcinogens in incense smoke. |
| Alternatives | Oil diffusers can be used to enjoy the scent of incense without burning it. |
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What You'll Learn
Incense smoke health risks
Incense smoke may pose several health risks. Firstly, it is important to note that incense undergoes a slow and continuous burn with incomplete combustion, leading to the emission of smoke containing harmful constituents. These constituents include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, polycyclic aromatic compounds, and volatile organic compounds. The presence of these compounds, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), has been linked to an increased risk of respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer.
Particulate matter in incense smoke contains carcinogens and irritants, which can lead to respiratory diseases such as asthma. Burning incense may trigger asthma attacks and has been associated with the development of respiratory allergies and chronic inflammation in the body. The fragrance material in incense, which often originates from plant extracts, can also contribute to these adverse effects.
Additionally, incense smoke has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and may affect heart tissues and deposit harmful substances in the body. It is considered comparable to or even more harmful than passive smoking, with growing evidence of its negative impact on human health. However, it is not officially deemed a major public health risk comparable to smoking tobacco, and the correct use to reduce risks has not yet been fully explored.
To minimize potential health risks, it is recommended to reduce or limit incense use and exposure to the smoke. Opening windows during or after burning incense can help lower exposure. It is also important to never directly inhale smoke from incense and to ensure there is a supply of fresh air when burning it. Japanese incense, known for its low smoke output and easy ash cleanup, may be a preferable option for those concerned about potential health risks.
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How to burn incense safely
Incense is a fragrant, aromatic biotic material that releases a pungent smoke when burnt. It is commonly purchased in a stick shape, but it also comes in powdered and cone forms. Burning incense is a potential fire hazard and can be harmful to your health if not done correctly. Here are some tips on how to burn incense safely:
Prepare your space
Place the incense burner on a heat-resistant surface, away from flammable materials such as curtains, fabrics, and other furniture that can easily catch fire. Keep the incense burner out of reach of children and pets. Birds are especially sensitive to incense smoke, so keep them as far away as possible.
Choose your incense
Look for incense that uses high-quality, non-toxic, and naturally scented ingredients. The lack of mandatory ingredient labelling on incense products makes it hard to determine which are safe to use. Only use incense with packaging that explicitly states that the product is non-toxic.
Light your incense
Light the incense with a match or lighter, holding the flame to the end of the incense until it catches fire. If using a stick, light the top of the incense. For powdered incense, light it on a charcoal disk. Allow the flame to burn for a few seconds, then gently blow out the flame. You should see a small, glowing ember, indicating that the incense is lit.
Monitor the incense
Never leave burning incense unattended. Keep an eye on the incense and ensure it is completely extinguished before leaving the room. If you need to put out the incense before it has finished burning, avoid dipping the tip in water as this can affect the quality of the incense. Instead, press the burning end against a heat-resistant surface or blow gently on the ember.
Ventilate your space
Ventilation is essential when burning incense. Burn incense in a well-ventilated room, and air out your rooms at least once or twice a day. If burning incense in a closed room, snuff it out once the room fills with smoke or the scent becomes overpowering. Fresh air improves the smell of the incense.
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Incense smoke and respiratory issues
Incense smoke contains various irritants, including particulate matter, that can be easily inhaled and may have negative health outcomes. In fact, multiple epidemiological studies have indicated the adverse effects of incense burning on the respiratory system.
A 2021 study confirmed that some of the particulate matter in incense smoke was carcinogenic, increasing the risk of cancer, particularly of the upper respiratory tract and lungs. The smallest of these particles, known as ultrafine particles, have been associated with increased hospital admissions, morbidity, and mortality, largely due to respiratory problems. The particulate matter in incense smoke can also cause oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in the body, which has been linked to asthma and other respiratory allergies.
In a prospective cohort study of over 4000 school children in Hong Kong, the adverse effects of incense burning on lung function and lung function development were observed. Furthermore, exposure to incense burning was associated with an increased risk of bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and wheezing. Another cross-sectional study of 36,541 adults from six big cities in China found that incense burning was associated with weekly symptoms of eye, throat, and skin irritation.
The global consumption of incense is estimated to exceed 200 million tons per year, with Asia being the largest market. The burning of incense contributes significantly to indoor and outdoor air pollution, with higher levels of indoor air pollutants found in homes that burn incense compared to those that do not. In particular, the emission of SO2 from incense burning has been documented as a respiratory irritant and bronchial constrictor, with potential to surpass government-regulated standards under certain conditions.
While the correct use of incense to reduce health risks has not been established, it is recommended to stay a safe distance from burning incense to avoid directly inhaling the smoke and to ensure a supply of fresh air when burning incense.
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Incense smoke and cancer
While incense burning is a popular practice worldwide, there are concerns about its potential health risks. The smoke released from burning incense has a pleasant smell, but it also contains particulate matter that can be easily inhaled and may lead to adverse health outcomes.
Incense smoke has been linked to respiratory problems, with multiple epidemiological studies indicating its effects on the respiratory system. Studies have associated incense smoke with an increased risk of bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and wheezing in boys. Exposure to incense smoke has also been linked to symptoms such as throat and nose irritation, eye irritation, and skin issues.
The particulate matter in incense smoke contains carcinogens and irritants, which could lead to respiratory diseases and potentially cancer. Some studies have suggested an association between long-term incense use and the development of squamous cell carcinomas of the respiratory tract, particularly in the upper respiratory tract. However, other studies have found no direct link between incense smoke exposure and cancer development, indicating that further research is needed.
The largest study on incense use and cancer, involving 61,000 people in Singapore, concluded that incense use in normal amounts poses a very small risk of cancer, if at all. This study also found that burning incense indoors increases the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known to be associated with cancer. However, it is important to note that burning any organic material, such as tobacco leaves, coal, or incense, produces PAHs.
To reduce potential health risks, it is recommended to limit incense use and exposure to its smoke. Ensuring proper ventilation by opening windows during and after burning incense can help lower the concentration of indoor pollutants. Exploring alternative methods or products to incense may also be considered if one is concerned about the potential risks associated with incense smoke.
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Incense smoke and pets
Incense smoke contains a complex mixture of potentially harmful substances, including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants can have serious adverse effects on pet health because cat and dog respiratory systems are more sensitive than humans.
Particulate matter (minuscule bits) can penetrate deep into their respiratory system, exacerbating asthma, chronic bronchitis, and lung diseases or increasing the risk of respiratory inflammation or infection. Likewise, nitrogen oxides can cause the same issues. Carbon monoxide can be even more dangerous, leading to oxygen deficiency, which could cause your cat or dog to experience confusion, weakness, loss of consciousness, and even death in severe cases. Finally, some specific aromatic plant materials and essential oils can be toxic to pets.
In a prospective cohort study among more than 4000 school children in Hong Kong from 2012 to 2014, the adverse effects of incense burning on lung function and lung function development were evidenced. Moreover, exposure to domestic incense burning was found to be associated with increased risks of bronchitis and bronchiolitis in both sexes, and pneumonia and wheeze in boys.
In another cross-sectional population-based study that consisted of a total of 36,541 adults from 6 big cities across China, around 15.1% of the homes had burned incense, and incense burning was associated with weekly symptoms of eyes (itching, burning or irritation of the eyes), throat (hoarse or dry throat), and skin (dry or flushed facial skin, scaling/itching skin in scalp or ears, dermal symptoms in hands such as dry, itching or red skin).
It is recommended that you avoid burning incense in front of your pets. If you do choose to burn incense, make sure you do so in a room with good ventilation and keep your pets out of that room. Stay away from synthetic scents as they tend to be more toxic overall.
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Frequently asked questions
You shouldn't. Smoking incense like a cigarette is a bad idea and could harm your lungs. It increases the levels of particulate matter in the air and, when inhaled, can travel into your respiratory tract, lungs, and bloodstream.
Incense smoke contains particulate matter (PM), gas products, and organic compounds. The gas products include CO, CO2, NO2, and SO2. The organic compounds include benzene, toluene, and xylenes, as well as aldehydes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Incense smoke contains carcinogens and irritants, which could lead to respiratory diseases such as asthma. It has also been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and cancer. It can also cause allergic reactions and chronic inflammation in the body.
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