Katrina Rosales
Incense has been used for centuries in religious and spiritual practices, and even to this day, it is widely used for relaxation, meditation, and aromatherapy. However, despite its pleasant aroma and calming effects, incense smoke contains harmful pollutants that can adversely affect your health. This article will explore the reasons why burning incense may be causing you to feel nauseous and other potential health risks associated with incense burning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense ingredients | Herbal and wood powder, fragrance material, staining matter, adhesive powder, and bamboo stick |
| Composition by weight | 21% herbal and wood powder, 35% fragrance material, 11% adhesive powder, and 33% bamboo stick |
| Particulate matter | 45 mg/g (compared to 10 mg/g for cigarettes) |
| Gas products | CO, CO2, NO2, SO2, benzene, toluene, and xylenes |
| Volatile organic compounds | Aldehydes, formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) |
| Health effects | Nausea, respiratory issues, cardiovascular issues, cancer, asthma, allergies, eczema, impaired neurobehavioral performance |
| Prevention | Burn incense outdoors or in a well-ventilated room with open windows, limit exposure, avoid inhalation of smoke |
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What You'll Learn
Incense releases harmful gases and particles
Incense has been used for centuries in religious and cultural practices. It is also widely used for relaxation and meditation. However, the burning of incense releases harmful gases and particles that can negatively impact your health.
The composition of incense sticks typically includes herbal and wood powder, fragrance material, staining matter, adhesive powder, and a bamboo stick. When burned, incense releases smoke containing particulate matter, gas products, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The particulate matter from incense burning is significantly higher than that of a cigarette, with an average of 45 mg/g compared to 10 mg/g for cigarettes.
The gas products released from burning incense include carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and formaldehyde. These gases can have adverse effects on your health, especially with prolonged or repeated exposure. Carbon monoxide can lead to impaired neurobehavioural performance and affect those with respiratory issues, especially children. Formaldehyde is a potent sensory irritant that can cause discomfort and irritate the eyes and upper airways. It can also lead to asthma, allergies, and even eczema. In the long term, exposure to formaldehyde has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
In addition to the gases released, incense burning also produces fine particles that are less than 2.5 micrometers (μm) in diameter. These fine particles can reach the alveoli in the lungs and pose significant health risks. Exposure to these particles can aggravate chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, damage lung tissue, and potentially contribute to cancer.
To minimize the negative impacts of incense burning, it is recommended to burn incense outdoors or in well-ventilated areas. Keeping the incense burner away from you and ensuring proper airflow can help reduce the inhalation of harmful particles and gases. It is also important to limit the frequency of burning incense to avoid overexposure to these harmful substances.
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Incense smoke contains particulate matter
The average incense stick generates 45 mg/g of particulate matter, which is more than the amount produced by a cigarette (10 mg/g). These particles can accumulate indoors, mixing with dust and embedding themselves into various materials, a phenomenon known as thirdhand smoke.
The particulate matter in incense smoke includes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carcinogens. VOCs, such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes, can irritate the eyes and upper airways and have been linked to long-term health issues like cancer. Carcinogens, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are another concern as even small exposures are considered harmful to humans.
In addition to respiratory risks, incense smoke has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease. A 2020 study also linked it to potential issues with brain health in older adults over 65. Furthermore, incense smoke has been indicated to cause allergic contact dermatitis and has been associated with neoplasm.
To mitigate the risks associated with incense smoke, it is recommended to keep the room well-ventilated during and after burning incense.
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Incense can cause indoor air pollution
Incense burning is considered a major source of indoor air pollution. The amount of particulate matter (PM) generated by incense can be up to 4.5 times that of cigarettes. Incense smoke is associated with carcinogenicity, increased cardiovascular mortality, and respiratory conditions. Long-term exposure to incense smoke can also lead to accelerated cognitive ageing, intellectual decline, and an increased risk of Alzheimer's Disease and vascular dementia.
The combustion of incense releases smoke containing PM, gas products, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The average particulate matter from incense burning is 45 mg/g, higher than that of a cigarette, which is 10 mg/g. Incense smoke contains pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), aldehydes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are proven to directly cause lung cancer, and even small exposures are considered harmful.
Benzene and formaldehyde are present in concerning levels in many incense products, exceeding the guideline values established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Other compounds found in incense smoke, such as acetaldehyde, acrolein, furfural, and furan, also warrant attention due to their potential health risks.
To reduce the impact of incense on indoor air quality, it is recommended to increase ventilation by opening windows during and after burning incense. This helps dilute the concentration of contaminants in the area. Additionally, it is important to choose high-quality incense that does not contain charcoal, glue, salt peter, bamboo, or synthetic petroleum-based fragrances, as these can significantly decrease air quality. Natural incense made from woods, resins, and spices can offer aromatherapy benefits and improve air quality by filtering out spores and microbes.
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Incense may contain carcinogens
Incense smoke contains particulate matter, gas products, and volatile organic compounds. The average particulate matter from incense burning is 45 mg/g, which is more than that of a cigarette, at 10 mg/g. The gas products from burning incense include carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
Burning incense can release carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and nitrogen oxide into the air. Formaldehyde is a potent sensory irritant and is classified as a probable human carcinogen. It can irritate the eyes and upper airways and cause asthma and allergies. In the long term, it can cause cancer.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are another group of compounds found in incense smoke. PAHs have been linked to an increased risk of peripheral arterial diseases, and they are proven to directly cause lung cancer. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is an indicator of the presence of PAHs, and any level of exposure is considered harmful to humans.
To avoid the adverse health effects of incense, it is recommended to burn incense outdoors or in a well-ventilated room with open windows. Keeping the incense burner away from you can also reduce the amount of smoke and harmful particles inhaled. Limiting the frequency of burning incense can also help to reduce exposure to potentially harmful substances.
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Incense can have a psychosomatic effect
Incense smoke may pose health risks, and some research has suggested that incense smoke has a negative impact on cognitive functions and brain health. A 2021 study found that incense smoke induced oxidative stress, which in turn disrupted bronchial epithelial barrier integrity and induced airway hyperresponsiveness. Another study found that incense smoke affects the brain areas involved in emotions and nerve circuits affected by anxiety and depression drugs.
However, it is important to note that the precise mechanisms behind these relationships are not yet fully understood and require further investigation. The specific effects of incense on brain changes, for instance, remain unclear.
Additionally, the impact of incense on cognitive functions and brain health may be influenced by individual factors such as age, education levels, and existing health conditions. For example, a study on community older adults found that incense burning was associated with adverse effects on cognitive functions and brain functional connectivity.
While the health risks associated with incense burning are a cause for concern, it is important to approach the available studies with caution. Many studies have been conducted on animals, and further research is needed to confirm the applicability of these findings to humans.
In conclusion, while incense burning may have certain psychosomatic effects, the specific mechanisms and implications for human health require more comprehensive research.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense smoke contains particulate matter, gas products, and volatile organic compounds, such as formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and xylenes, which can cause irritation to the eyes and upper airways.
To reduce nausea, limit your exposure to incense smoke. Place the incense burner across the room, away from you, and keep a window open to ventilate the room.
Burning incense releases harmful pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter, which can aggravate respiratory and cardiovascular issues, damage lung tissue, and potentially contribute to cancer.
Traditional incense ingredients can reduce anxiety and stress, promote sleep and relaxation, and induce meditative states. Frankincense, for example, has been proven to be anxiolytic and improve depression.
