Burning powder incense can be a pleasant way to scent your home. However, if not properly used, it can release harmful chemicals into the air.
Incense smoke pollutants can include particulate matter and gas products such as aldehydes, ketones and musk ketones. These compounds are known to cause respiratory irritation, eye and skin sensitivity and allergic contact dermatitis.
Choose a High-Quality Powder
In addition to releasing a pleasant aroma, burning incense can also help improve concentration and focus. However, you should be careful when using powder incense to avoid overexposure to potentially toxic compounds, such as particulate matter and carbon monoxide.
The first step to making safe powder incense is choosing a high-quality product. High-quality incense is often a blend of fragrant wood powders, barks, leaves and resins ground into a fine powder. Some examples include Dragon’s Blood (made from the bark of Phoebe nanmu), Xiangnan Pi (made from a plant called Persea zuihoensis) and Myrrh.
High-quality incense does not contain toxic additives such as formaldehyde or acrolein, which can be irritating to the respiratory system and are associated with bronchial irritation, asthma and headaches. It also contains a lower concentration of phenols, which can be irritative to the eyes and skin. It also does not have any astringents that can cause irritation.
Follow the Directions Carefully
While burning powder incense may be a pleasant way to relax or celebrate, it is important to keep in mind the safety guidelines that are involved. According to Biziou, burning incense releases a number of pollutants that are dangerous when inhaled at high concentrations. These include particulate matter, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds.
These substances can be harmful when inhaled in high concentrations because they interfere with the body’s ability to transport oxygen. They can also irritate the skin and eyes. Additionally, inhaling the vapors from burning incense can lead to respiratory dysfunction.
It is therefore important to use a safe holder when burning incense. Ideally, you should choose one that is made of metal or ceramic and is large enough to fully contain the incense ash. It should also be positioned away from anything flammable so that it does not catch fire if it falls over or blows around. You should also make sure that you do not burn incense near alcohol, hairspray or aerosols because they can create dangerous fumes when burned.
Keep the Area Well-Ventilated
The smoke produced by burning powder incense can irritate the respiratory system, particularly for those who have allergies or asthma. This is because the smoke contains particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (such as musk ketones and xylenes), and some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which are carcinogenic.
A safe way to inhale less of the harmful byproducts is to keep the area well-ventilated when using powder incense. You can do this by opening a few windows or doors, keeping them partially open while the incense is burning, and by using sand or salt to help the smoke disperse.
Another good practice is to use a non-combustible incense burner or holder, like a ceramic or metal one. This helps prevent fire hazards and ensures that ashes don’t land on anything flammable or sensitive, like clothing or carpeting. In fact, a study by Koo et al. found that incense burning was associated with respiratory symptoms including chronic cough, runny nose, chronic sputum, and asthma, but not with lung cancer risk in primary school children or their non-smoking mothers or district matched controls.
Never Leave Burning Incense Unattended
If left unattended, powder incense can produce harmful smoke and toxic chemicals. These substances can cause respiratory irritation, allergic reactions, and eye and throat problems.
Inhaling incense smoke can also damage the lungs and contribute to asthma and other chronic health conditions. This is why it is important to always keep your incense burner on a stable, heat-resistant surface and out of the way of anything flammable.
If you are looking for a healthy, natural alternative to traditional incense, try a fragrant indoor plant or an oil diffuser. These safe, natural products will help to purify your home’s air and support overall health. You can also try a bowl of potpourri or use natural fragrances in your meditation and mindfulness practices to create a peaceful, tranquil environment. Ultimately, you should consult with a medical professional to determine if incense is safe for your particular health situation.