Why you should reconsider using incense sticks regularly

For centuries, burning incense has been in practice to perform rituals. But, this age-old practice might be harmful for you!

Author and content creator Keith Bishop, shared a video on Instagram, where he states, “Burning incense indoors increases levels of many toxic chemicals, including PAHs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Overall, studies show exposure to burning incense increases the risk of lung cancer.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Keith Bishop CN BScPharm Author (@prevailovercancer) 

Dr Sushama Sumeet, BAMS, MD, PhD, ayurveda physician and senior research Fellow at ICTRC Pune Integrated Cancer Treatment and Research Centre agrees with Bishop, “The burning incense indoors daily, if they produce harmful chemicals like poly aromatic hydrocarbons, carbonyl, benzene increases the risk of cancer.”

What chemicals are released into the air when incense is burned?

The composition of incense sticks varies across industries. Natural or organic incense sticks are made from fresh cow dung, charcoal, dried herbs, and flowers, providing a pleasant fragrance with ingredients such as Commiphora mukul exudate (guggulu), Vateria indica exudate (raal), lavender, rosemary, rose petals (Rosa centifolia), and Santalum album heartwood (sandalwood) powder. Natural binding agents like ghee or jaggery are used, and bamboo skewers serve as the base for dhoop sticks. These natural incenses have a soft and subtle aroma, says Dr Sumeet.

She explains that due to the high demand for incense with strong and long-lasting scents, synthetic incense sticks have become more popular. These are typically made from waste wood, plywood powder, sawdust, or various colored powders, using powerful glue as a binder and synthetic fragrant oils for aroma.

Due to the high demand for incense with strong and long-lasting scents, synthetic incense sticks have become more popular. (Source: Freepik)

Extenders like dipropylene glycol are often used commercially to dilute the fragrant oils. Burning synthetic incense sticks can release particulate matter, aerosols, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, toluene, carbonyls, benzene, aldehydes, and other potentially harmful substances, adds Dr Sumeet.

Health risks associated with inhaling smoke from burning incense

The consistent long-term indoor burning of incense sticks or any other form may cause watering of the eyes, allergic dermatitis, and upper respiratory tract diseases like cancer, mentions Dr Sumeet.

Studies investigating the link between incense burning and cancer risk

Dr Sumeet adds that several epidemiological studies have been conducted worldwide. A case-referent study involving 1,208 lung cancer patients and 1,028 community referents in China concluded that exposure to incense smoke increased the risk of lung cancer among smokers, with additional exposure to radon further increasing the risk (Yu IT et al., 2011). Another study focused on temple workers in Thailand found that exposure to carcinogens from incense burning may elevate the risk of developing cancer (Ruchirawat et al., 2008).

She notes that a retrospective case-control study by Yu IT et al. (2014) indicated that poor domestic ventilation could amplify the association between incense burning and the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer.

How does indoor ventilation affect the risks associated with burning incense?

“A study showed that it was the combustion products known from incomplete combustion of organic matter which are released during slow burning, are problematic. Therefore, proper ventilation or airing of the room will reduce the concentration of combustion residues in the air to below the critical concentrations and sufficient fragrance remains with the desired effects,” says Dr Sumeet.

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.