Incense May Be Carcinogenic

According to researchers at the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan, burning large quantities of incense may be a cancer risk.

Researchers studied air quality inside a badly-ventilated temple in Tainan City, Taiwan and at a busy road intersection outside the temple. Levels of carcinogenic chemicals known as PAHs were found to be 19 times higher inside the temple than outside at the road intersection. Levels of benzopyrene, a chemical linked to lung cancer were 45 times higher than a home where residents smoked inside.

Dr Ta Chang Lin stressed the level of risk depended on the quantity of incense burned and how long workers were exposed. "During some major ceremonies, hundreds, or even more than a thousand sticks are burned at the same time".

"Sometimes the visibility is so low, you can't see clearly across the room".

"There is a potential cancer risk. We just cannot say how serious it is".

Monday, 10 September 2001