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Cited by 251Air Quality and Health ImpactsIndoor Air Quality and Microbial ExposureAsthma and respiratory diseases

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Incense smoke: clinical, structural and molecular effects on airway disease

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Lin, Ta-Chang, Krishnaswamy, Guha, Chi, David S·2008·Clinical and Molecular Allergy
DOI 10.1186/1476-7961-6-3PMC PMC2377255
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Abstract

In Asian countries where the Buddhism and Taoism are mainstream religions, incense burning is a daily practice. A typical composition of stick incense consists of 21% (by weight) of herbal and wood powder, 35% of fragrance material, 11% of adhesive powder, and 33% of bamboo stick. Incense smoke (fumes) contains particulate matter (PM), gas products and many organic compounds. On average, incense burning produces particulates greater than 45 mg/g burned as compared to 10 mg/g burned for cigarettes. The gas products from burning incense include CO, CO2, NO2, SO2, and others. Incense burning also produces volatile organic compounds, such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes, as well as aldehydes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The air pollution in and around various temples has been documented to have harmful effects on health. When incense smoke pollutants are inhaled, they cause respiratory system dysfunction. Incense smoke is a risk factor for elevated cord blood IgE levels and has been indicated to cause allergic contact dermatitis. Incense smoke also has been associated with neoplasm and extracts of particulate matter from incense smoke are found to be mutagenic in the Ames Salmonella test with TA98 and activation. In order to prevent airway disease and other health problem, it is advisable that people should reduce the exposure time when they worship at the temple with heavy incense smokes, and ventilate their house when they burn incense at home.

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Metadata

Authors
Lin, T.-C., Krishnaswamy, G., & Chi, D. S.
Affiliations
  • National Cheng Kung University (TW)
  • East Tennessee State University (US)
Corresponding author
Lin, Ta-Chang
ORCID
Krishnaswamy, Guha
Venue
Clinical and Molecular Allergy
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2008-04-25
Volume
6
Issue
1
Pages
3-3
ISSN
1476-7961 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/1476-7961-6-3
PMC
PMC2377255
OpenAlex
W2026821144
Cited by
251
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 7
FWCI
2.30
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Clinical and Molecular Allergy (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Digital Commons - East Tennessee State University (East Tennessee State University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • East Tennessee State University
  • National Science Council (NSC95)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Air Quality and Health Impacts
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Asthma and respiratory diseases
Keywords
incense smoke, airway disease, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, respiratory health, allergic contact dermatitis, cord blood IgE, mutagenicity, exposure reduction

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