Incense Releases Particulate Matter That Can Result In Lung Inflammation

First Posted: Aug 25, 2015 11:19 AM EDT
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Previous studies have shown that burning incense may have psychoactive benefits. In other words, some scientists say that it could help to release poorly understood ion channels in the brain alleviate both anxiety and depression.

Yet new findings published in the journal Environmental Chemistry in Letters reveal that it may actually be associated with health risks, particularly when it comes to indoor use. Some health officials have even compared the effects of incense to cigarette smoke.

This traditional and common practice that's been in many families throughout Asia for religious purposes transfers particulate matter in the air during the process. However, what many people don't know is that it can be breathed in and trapped in the lungs, resulting in an inflammatory reaction. Though little research has been conducted regarding the harmful aspects of incense, some findings suggest that it can be linked to the development of lung cancer, childhood leukemia and even brain tumors.

In this recent study, researchers assessed the health hazards associated with using incense smoke in the home. They compared the results for the first time with mainstream studies of cigarette smoke, testing out two types of incense--both containing agarwood and sandalwood, which are among the most common ingredients used to make the product. The tests were run to gauge the effects of incense and cigarette smoke on Salmonella tester strains and on the ovary cells of Chinese hamsters.

Findings revealed that incense smoke was found to be mutagenic, meaning that it contained chemical properties that could potentially change genetic material, including DNA, resulting in mutations. Furthermore, some of the smoke sampled from the incense was even found to consist almost exclusively of ultrafine and fine particles, which may increase the risk of health effects. Altogether, the researchers found four incense smoke samples that contained 64 compounds, with two of the samples holding ingredients that are known to be highly toxic. 

"Clearly, there needs to be greater awareness and management of the health risks associated with burning incense in indoor environments," lead author Rong Zhou of the South China University of Technology and the China Tobacco Guangdong Industrial Company in China, said in a news release.

However, researchers also warned that readers should not assume that incense smoke is more toxic than cigarette smoke.They should take into account the incense sticks and how they are used when compared to cigarettes. 

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