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The popular incense and incense sticks used to remove unpleasant odors and reportedly have healing properties are actually as dangerous as cigarettes. Long-term inhalation of incense smoke can cause allergies, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, COPD, and even squamous cell tumors.
A team of scientists from the University of North Carolina, led by prof. Karin B. Yeatts decided to investigate popular remedies for removing unpleasant odors, which are also supposed to have healing properties – incense and fragrance sticks.
They are usually combined with India and Arab countries, mainly with the United Arab Emirates, where the main production centers for substances that contain incense are located. According to Indian data, the global industry of their production and distribution brings in revenues of USD 3 billion annually. The largest number of customers, outside of India, are in Arab countries and China.
Incense and incense sticks
There are two types of incense – Indian, where the active substance is embedded on the sticks, and Arabic, where the incense is in nuggets. In the case of Indian and Chinese incense, these are powdered plant substances and aromatic oils (the most commonly used are sandalwood, vanilla, rose oil and lavender), mixed with plant resins, e.g. from the evergreen agullaria tree (the so-called agarwood). In Arabian incense sticks, agullaria resins are mixed with plant aromatic resins and used for incensing rooms, e.g. in the case of fungal infection or with sandalwood, which is used to impart a pleasant smell and mask kitchen scents. The most expensive, also used for religious purposes (e.g. in Christianity), is resin incense. It is an incense resin (Boswellia serrata) with the addition of oils from aromatic plants from the Burseracerae family and powdered plants with a strong odor.
94% of incense is used daily. Arab houses in the UAE. Interestingly, about 3 percent of incense sticks are used occasionally (4-40 times a month or more often). Americans and about 30 percent. Europeans. All users, both in Arab countries, India, China, as well as Europe or the USA, attribute healing properties to them. The active substances contained in them are supposed to support the respiratory and circulatory systems, heal neuroses and depressions.
Poisonous incense
The team of prof. Yeatts set out to investigate the real effects of incense and incense sticks on the cells of the body. Tests were carried out in closed rooms with a cubature similar to that of a medium-sized room. Arabic and Indian type incense was burned there for about three hours, which is the standard incense burning time. Next, scientists measured the concentration and level of harmful substances and gases such as carbon monoxide, sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde. Arabian-type incense turned out to be much more harmful. The reason was, among others lighting them with charcoal nuggets, which significantly increased the emission of carbon monoxide and sulfur compounds.
In the room where the samples were burned, isolated cells of the human lungs were placed for 24 hours, thus exposing them to smoke and volatile compounds, similar to those in the rooms where incense was burned. These samples were then examined for possible changes. An inflammatory response was discovered in all cells, which in real life would have put both the upper and lower respiratory tracts at risk of inflammation. The investigated markers of pro-inflammatory interleukins allowed for the conclusion that prolonged stay in permanently incensed rooms may cause asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and in extreme cases, with a weakened immune system – even lung cancer. Lung cells exposed to incense showed almost the same picture as lung cells in long-term passive smokers.
Incense and squamous cell carcinoma
Similar conclusions come from the study of an international team of scientists led by Dr. Jeppe Friborg from the Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen. Friborg’s team studied the spread of lung and upper respiratory diseases among Singaporeans – mostly Chinese.
The research was conducted in several rounds, but their greatest intensity was in the years 1993-1998. A total of 61,320 Singapore residents aged 45-74 who had previously been diagnosed with no form of cancer were examined. Comprehensive interviews were conducted with them regarding their living conditions and eating habits. Scientists followed the subjects until 2005.
During this period, doctors and scientists found 325 cases of cancer of the upper respiratory tract (including cancers of the tongue, nose, mouth and throat) and 821 cases of lung cancer. Since the majority of cancer patients were non-smokers, researchers looked at possible causes of cancer in their case. As it turned out, almost all homes had the habit of burning incense, brought from China.
By studying epithelial cells and lung and upper respiratory tract cells isolated from patients, the researchers concluded that the frequent use of incense sticks undoubtedly contributed to the development of squamous cell tumors throughout the airways. The squamous epithelium covers the entire surface of the body. In the case of smokers, the use of incense several times compared to ordinary smokers increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the upper respiratory tract. There is also a significantly (about 3-fold) increase in the risk of this form of cancer in non-smokers who are exposed to incense or incense. The risk of lung cancer also increases, but it mainly affects smokers.
The researchers who published their work in the journal Cancer recommended reducing the use of incense, limiting its constant burning to the holiday season, and airing the rooms while smoking, which spreads the smell evenly but reduces the harmful effects of excessive concentration of substances generated during smoking. As stated in the work of the team of prof. Yeatts, however, these recommendations were not taken to heart in either the East or the West. A fairly popular view about the healing effect of incense and incense sticks has won, and their frequent burning is becoming commonplace, also in Europe or the USA.
Thirdhand Threat to Smokers
As it turns out, not only incense is harmful. You can also become a third hand smoker. This is the result of the research conducted by a team of scientists led by Dr. Yael Dubowski from the Israel Institute of Technology. A third hand smoker is a non-smoker, often not even seeing a smoker with his eyes. However, he buys a flat left by the smoker, lives in a rented house or room where the smoker used to live, or buys a car from the smoker. Dubowski and her colleagues decided to investigate whether the remains of smokers, such as tar, benzopyrene or formaldehyde, detected in cigarette smoke, remaining on furniture, carpets, carpets or on the surface of walls, have a negative impact on the health of other residents.
Researchers used furniture, painted surfaces, cotton and plastic coverings that they soaked in cigarette smoke to simulate long-term use by smokers. They then examined human epithelial cells left in an environment simulating a room and a car used for long periods by smokers. Thirdhand smokers are at risk of recurrent upper respiratory infections and asthma, they said. They are also more susceptible to allergies, including common allergies. Scientists recommended that cars should not be bought from heavy smokers, especially in the case of families with young children, and the house or apartment bought from smokers should be completely renovated, with the renovation including stripping off the old paint and repainting the walls with new paint several times. It is also necessary to throw away the old furniture, and if it is of historic value, it is best to have it restored – maintenance solvents will wash away the coating created during long-term use by smokers.
Tekst: Marek Mejssner
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