Seamus Hammond
Incense has been used for centuries in various cultural and religious traditions, but is it harmful? This is a question that has been debated by experts and the subject of an increasing number of studies. With a growing interest in wellness and a rising trend in the use of incense, it is important to understand the potential health implications. Incense burning produces smoke, and with it, a complex mixture of air pollutants and particulate matter that can be harmful when inhaled. This has led to concerns about the impact of incense on indoor air quality and potential risks to respiratory health. While the practice of burning incense may have cultural significance, it is important to consider the potential health implications and take steps to minimize any negative impacts. This article will explore the available research and provide insights into the potential risks associated with incense use, offering guidance on how to enjoy this ancient tradition in a safe and healthy manner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense as a source of indoor air pollution | Incense contains high concentrations of pollutants such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, nitric oxide, and oxides of nitrogen. |
| Health effects | Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, contact dermatitis, respiratory symptoms, asthma, headaches, exacerbation of cardiovascular disease, changes in lung cell structure, and potential oral health issues. |
| Psychoactivity | Incense contains incensole acetate, which activates TRPV3 channels in the brain and elicits psychoactivity. |
| Cultural and historical significance | Incense burning is an ancient practice with a rich history in various cultures, especially in religious ceremonies and rituals. |
| Frequency of use | Incense burning is common worldwide, with varying frequencies of use ranging from never to daily. In the UAE, it is reported to be used in at least 90% of households. |
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What You'll Learn
- Incense smoke contains high concentrations of pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitric oxide
- Incense use is linked to changes in the diversity, structure, and composition of the oral microbiota
- Incense burning is an ancient practice used in religious ceremonies and for aromatizing homes
- Incense smoke can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, contact dermatitis, respiratory symptoms, and asthma
- Incense burning is associated with higher microbial diversity and overall microbial compositional changes
Incense smoke contains high concentrations of pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitric oxide
Burning incense is a common practice worldwide, especially in Asian countries where Buddhism and Taoism are mainstream religions. It is also used in religious ceremonies and to aromatize homes and public spaces. Incense is burned weekly in about 94% of households in the UAE, and at least 90% of households in the UAE use incense to perfume their homes and clothing. However, incense smoke contains high concentrations of pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitric oxide, which can have detrimental effects on human health.
The smoke emitted by burning incense contains particulate matter (PM), gas products, and many organic compounds. On average, burning incense produces more than 45 mg/g of particulate matter, compared to 10 mg/g for cigarettes. The gas products from burning incense include carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitric oxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and others. Incense burning also produces volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes, as well as aldehydes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
These pollutants can have harmful effects on human health. When inhaled, incense smoke pollutants can cause respiratory system dysfunction and increase the risk of cardiovascular and lung disease. Incense smoke has also been associated with irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, contact dermatitis, respiratory symptoms, asthma, headaches, and exacerbation of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, exposure to incense burning has been linked to changes in the oral microbiota, which could potentially increase the risk of oral infections and systemic diseases.
The high levels of pollutants in incense smoke are due to the incomplete combustion of organic substances, such as hydrocarbons, wood, and incense. The use of charcoal to ignite and burn the incense can also contribute to increased particle and gas emissions. To reduce the health risks associated with incense burning, it is recommended to improve ventilation in homes and use alternatives to charcoal, such as electric combustion devices.
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Incense use is linked to changes in the diversity, structure, and composition of the oral microbiota
Incense burning is a common practice worldwide, with 94% of households in the UAE burning incense at least weekly. It is often used to perfume clothing and air, and to remove cooking odours. However, incense burning produces environmental toxicants that may have adverse health effects.
A study by NYU Abu Dhabi researchers examined the effects of incense burning on the oral microbiota, the ecological community of microorganisms found in the mouth. The study, published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports, found that incense burning was associated with changes in the diversity, structure, and composition of the oral microbiota.
The study analysed the oral microbiota of 303 Emirati adults, using mouthwash samples and questionnaires to assess incense use frequency. Results showed that exposure to incense burning was associated with higher microbial diversity and overall compositional changes. Incense use was also found to deplete certain bacterial abundances, such as the dominant taxon Streptococcus, even in occasional users (once a week or less).
These findings suggest that incense burning may alter the oral microbiota, potentially serving as an early biomarker of incense-related toxicities and related health consequences. The researchers recommend further studies to better understand the health implications of incense burning and to develop guidelines for controlling incense use, especially in public spaces.
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Incense burning is an ancient practice used in religious ceremonies and for aromatizing homes
Incense burning has been a common practice for thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilisations in Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, China, and Japan. It is used for a variety of purposes, including religious ceremonies, aromatherapy, and as a simple deodorant or insect repellent. The word "incense" comes from the Latin "incendere", meaning "to burn".
In ancient Egypt, incense was used in both pragmatic and mystical capacities. It was believed to counteract malodours, drive away demons, manifest the presence of the gods, and gratify them with its pleasant aroma. The Babylonians used incense extensively while offering prayers to divine oracles, and it was also employed in ancient Greek and Egyptian mythology, where it was associated with goddesses and nymphs. It is thought that incense was introduced to Israel before the Babylonian Exile (586–538 BC) and was assigned miraculous powers. Later, in the 5th century BC, altars were set apart for incense offerings.
Incense has also played a significant role in religious and spiritual practices in China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia. In China, incense-stick burning is an everyday practice in traditional Chinese religion and is burned during festivals and processions to honour ancestors and household gods. In Japan, incense appreciation includes art, culture, history, and ceremony, and it is often incorporated into the tea ceremony and Shintō ritual. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian medical system, promoted the use of incense for mental and physical healing, and it is still commonly burned in Indian homes today. Buddhists also encourage the use of incense, and it is burned in some form by most practising Buddhists during meditation, worship, or daily rites.
While incense burning has a long history and a variety of cultural uses, it is important to note that it can also have negative health impacts. Incense smoke contains various contaminants and gaseous pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and volatile organic compounds. Studies have shown that burning incense circulates air pollutants and is related to increased risks of cardiovascular and lung disease, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, contact dermatitis, respiratory symptoms, asthma, headaches, and exacerbation of cardiovascular disease. However, the biologic effects of incense burning have not been extensively studied, and further research is needed to fully understand its potential health consequences.
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Incense smoke can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, contact dermatitis, respiratory symptoms, and asthma
Incense burning is a popular practice all over the world, especially in Asian countries where Buddhism and Taoism are mainstream religions, as well as in the UAE. However, incense smoke contains particulate matter, gas products, and many organic compounds, which can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.
A study by the Gillings School of Global Public Health found that incense smoke and gaseous combustion products can cause an inflammatory response in the cells of people exposed to them. The researchers also found that incense emitted significant amounts of particles, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and oxides of nitrogen. Charcoal, which is frequently used to ignite and burn incense, was found to be an aggravating factor, as greater amounts of charcoal caused larger and longer particle and gas emissions.
In addition to eye, nose, and throat irritation, incense smoke has been linked to contact dermatitis. Hayakawa et al. reported a case of a 63-year-old patient who had practiced the incense ceremony for about 15 years and developed itchy, depigmented macules on his skin. The perfume and airborne particles from the burning incense were found to be the cause of the allergic contact dermatitis.
Furthermore, incense smoke has been associated with respiratory symptoms and asthma. The particulate matter and gas products in incense smoke can cause respiratory system dysfunction when inhaled. While studies have found a correlation between incense use and asthma, it is important to note that they do not show causation, and further research on humans is needed.
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Incense burning is associated with higher microbial diversity and overall microbial compositional changes
Incense burning is a common practice worldwide, with a variety of uses, including religious ceremonies, and for aromatizing homes and public spaces. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), burning incense is used traditionally to perfume both houses and clothing and is reported to be used in about 94% of households.
Burning incense, however, has been found to produce environmental toxicants that may influence health. Research has shown that the practice of burning incense is a source of indoor air pollution, with incense smoke containing high concentrations of fine and ultrafine airborne particulates and gaseous pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and oxides of nitrogen. These pollutants are similar to those found in tobacco smoke and have been linked to increased risks of cardiovascular and lung disease.
A study conducted on 303 Emirati adults examined the potential effect of household incense use on the oral microbiota. The oral microbiota, or oral cavity, is the ecological community of microorganisms found in the oral cavity, i.e., the mouth. The study found that exposure to incense burning was associated with higher microbial diversity and overall microbial compositional changes. The diversity of the oral microbiota was significantly increased in daily incense users compared to non-users and occasional users.
The study also revealed that incense use was associated with significant changes in bacterial abundances, including the depletion of the dominant taxon Streptococcus, even in occasional users (once a week or less). This suggests that incense use impacts the oral microbiota even at low exposure levels. Overall, the study indicates that incense burning may alter the oral microbiota, potentially serving as an early biomarker of incense-related toxicities and related health consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning incense is a common practice worldwide and is often used in religious ceremonies or to aromatize homes and public spaces. However, incense smoke contains high concentrations of pollutants such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, nitric oxide, and oxides of nitrogen, which are also detected in tobacco smoke. These pollutants can cause an inflammatory response in human lung cells and are associated with health effects, including irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, contact dermatitis, respiratory symptoms, asthma, headaches, exacerbation of cardiovascular disease, and changes in lung cell structure.
Charcoal briquettes, which are frequently used to ignite and burn incense, can cause larger and longer particle and gas emissions. It is recommended to use alternatives to charcoal, such as electric combustion devices, and to improve ventilation in spaces where incense is burned.
Burning incense has been linked to changes in the diversity, structure, and composition of the oral microbiota, even at low levels of exposure. These changes in the microbial community in the mouth can potentially increase the risk of oral infections and systemic diseases and may have adverse effects on overall health.
