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Incense: Ritual, Health Effects and Prudence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 April 2013

URMILA NAIR
URMILA NAIR*
Affiliation:
German Cancer Research Center, HeidelbergU.nair@DKfz_Heidelberg.de, perfumery_studies@uni_heidelberg.de
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Abstract

The burning of candles and incense is common in religious ceremoniesworldwide. Analysis of incense smoke has shown the presence of particulatematter, volatile organic compounds, aldehydes and polycyclic aromatichydrocarbons that are hazardous to health. Long-term exposure to smokeformed during combustion can cause airway dysfunction, allergic reactionsand dermatological effects and is a risk factor implicated in thedevelopment of other serious diseases. In this paper the effect of thesestudies are reviewed and simple precautions suggested to avoid toxic effectsof incense smoke.

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Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society , Volume 23 , Issue 1 , January 2013 , pp. 5 - 9
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Asiatic Society 2013

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