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Cited by 243Indoor Air Quality and Microbial ExposureAtmospheric chemistry and aerosolsAir Quality and Health Impacts

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Characterization of emissions from burning incense

Jetter, James J, Guo, Zhishi, McBrian, Jenia A, Flynn, Michael R·2002·Science of The Total Environment
DOI 10.1016/s0048-9697(02)00043-8
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Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to improve the characterization of particulate matter emissions from burning incense. Emissions of particulate matter were measured for 23 different types of incense using a cyclone/filter method. Emission rates for PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter) ranged from 7 to 202 mg/h, and PM2.5 emission factors ranged from 5 to 56 mg/g of incense burned. Emission rates were also determined using an electrical low pressure impactor (ELPI) and a small electrostatic precipitator (ESP), and emission rates were compared to those determined using the cyclone/filter method. Emission rates determined by the ELPI method were consistently lower than those determined by the cyclone/filter method, and a linear regression correlation was found between emission rates determined by the two methods. Emission rates determined by the ESP method were consistently higher than those determined by the cyclone/filter method, indicating that the ESP may be a more effective method for measuring semivolatile particle emissions. A linear regression correlation was also found between emission rates determined by the ESP and cyclone/filter methods. Particle size distributions were measured with the ELPI, and distributions were found to be similar for most types of incense that were tested. Size distributions by mass typically ranged from approximately 0.06 to 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter, with peak values between 0.26 and 0.65 microm. Results indicated that burning incense emits fine particulate matter in large quantities compared to other indoor sources. An indoor air quality model showed that indoor concentrations of PM25 can far exceed the outdoor concentrations specified by the US EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), so incense smoke can pose a health risk to people due to inhalation exposure of particulate matter. Emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were also measured for seven types of incense. Emission rates of the gaseous pollutants were sufficient to cause indoor concentrations, estimated using the indoor air quality model, to exceed the outdoor concentrations specified by the NAAQS under certain conditions. However, the incense samples that were tested would fill a room with thick smoke under these conditions.

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Metadata

Authors
Jetter, J. J., Guo, Z., McBrian, J. A., & Flynn, M. R.
Affiliations
  • Environmental Protection Agency (US)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
Corresponding author
Jetter, James J
ORCID
Jetter, James J
Venue
Science of The Total Environment
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2002-08
Volume
295
Issue
1-3
Pages
51-67
ISSN
0048-9697 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/s0048-9697(02)00043-8
OpenAlex
W2045947252
Cited by
243
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 9
FWCI
2.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • The Science of The Total Environment (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Air Quality and Health Impacts
Keywords
incense burning, particulate emissions, PM2.5, emission factors, particle size distribution, electrical low pressure impactor, electrostatic precipitator, indoor air quality, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, sulfur dioxide, inhalation exposure, indoor air pollution
MeSH terms
Air Pollutants, Carbon Monoxide, Humans, Nitric Oxide, Particle Size, Sulfur Dioxide, Volatilization, Free Radical Scavengers, Air Pollution, Indoor, Incineration, Risk Assessment, Inhalation Exposure

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