Aug 30 2008
New Study: Burning Incense Increases Cancer Risk
Science Daily reported on a new study that suggests incense smoke may increase the risk of some upper respiratory cancers. From the article:
Researchers have shown that burning incense—which is made of plant materials mixed with oils—produces a mixture of possible carcinogens, including polyaromatic hydrocarbons, carbonyls and benzene. Because incense smoke is inhaled, a number of studies have looked at the possible link between incense burning and lung cancer, but results have been inconsistent.
This study, recognizing the common use of incense in Asian culture, followed over 61,000 Singapore Chinese for about 5 years. The researchers interviewed study participants about diet, lifestyle and other factors. They discovered that those who were frequently exposed to incense smoke were at an increase risk of a certain type of upper respiratory cancer.
The study authors concluded that this study suggests that more research is needed to see what levels of exposure lead to increased risk and which types of incense carry the lowest risk. The study authors also noted that incense use is common outside of Asia including India and parts of the West.
As a pagan, I use incense regularly in my rites and rituals. This study certainly raises some concerns about how much incense I use and how frequently. I find it interesting that this correlation hasn’t been made before say among Catholics, another religion where incense is heavily used.
While I doubt that a single study will prevent me from using incense in my rituals, as a priest I think it will make me more aware of objections to incense that others may have when I facilitate public rituals.
