![]() ![]() Through the current review, it is expected to unveil the remaining gaps and further steps required for the illumination of this emerging issue in the future. Also, plausible implications for public health management are discussed. Therefore, the objectives of this work are to shed light on the detrimental constituents of smoke derived from incense burning, and to summarize the current status of knowledge on the association between incense burning and health risks, with a focus on oxidative stress and associated inflammation as possible underlying mechanisms. However, still much more inquiries about the adverse effects of incense burning on human health remain, particularly the underlying mechanisms. 12–14 Now that most people in the world aware of the deleterious impact of smoking, it is time for us to consider another potential threat to public health and comfort risen from the old-age custom of burning incense in ritual places and at homes. ![]() 2 In fact, there have been growing evidences indicating the association between exposure to incense smoke and the increased risk of numerous health issues, such as respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer. In addition, incense smoke released during the burning process can be inhaled into the human body, and it is considered as comparable as or even more harmful than passive smoking. 11 With the significant consumption of incense as mentioned above, incense burning may represent a major source of both outdoor and indoor air pollution. Unfortunately, it was stated that incense undergoes a slow continuous burn with incomplete combustion, 10 leading to the emission of smoke whose harmful constituents would be discussed later. 9 These data suggest that the domestic incense burning also dominates a huge amount of consumed incense. 8 Similarly, it was calculated that incense is burned at least once a week in 86% of households in United Arab Emirates. Beyond the religious and public places, it was reported that nearly 80% among Chinese burn the incense at home every day and over 90% of population has been practicing the incense burning for more than 20 years. 7 It is even expected that larger quantities of incense may be burned during the climax of religious rituals, big festivals, and special ceremonies and occasions. 4, 5 A report by Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency in 2003 indicated that a total of 28.7 metric tons of incense were burned in 92 temples in Kao-Hsiong City, 6 contributing to approximately 3580 tons of annual consumption of incense in temples in Taiwan. ![]() The global consumption of incense was estimated to exceed 200 million tons per year, where Asia is the largest market. 2, 3 Collectively, these practices lead to the pervasive uses of incense in modern societies up to date. Furthermore, the burning of incense has been adopted into human daily life for other purposes, such as deodorant, aromatherapy, and meditation, among others. 1 Thus, there has been an extensive practice of incense burning in temples, monasteries, mosques, and household settings, for divine worshipping and ancestor veneration. Incense burning has become a daily routine and an indispensable ritualistic practice in some religions, such as Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism. ![]() Incense burning has been a traditional and common practice in many parts across the world, especially in Eastern region, for various purposes since ancient time. In fact, incense is an entity that can be burned to release aromatic smoke. The word incense comes from Latin incendere meaning “to burn”. ![]()
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