In spiral, cones, powders or sticks incense In many cultures it is common to burn it in religious and cultural practices, including meditations, celebrations, and spiritual and ancestral worship. Not only relaxes also eliminates bad odors of a room in a more natural way than any air freshener.
However, doctors at PCOM Georgia in Suwanee, United States, have warned that Health problems arising from burning incense are numerousand above all they can be significant for the elderly and children, as well as for people with allergies or asthma. During the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), which is being held this year in Boston, they have presented a new medically challenging case.
“Our patient was an 87-year-old woman with a history of asthma and COPD, who received oxygen therapy and had unexplained shortness of breath” says Gomeo Lam, lead author of the article. “A detailed medical history revealed that he burned incense daily. We recommended that she stop burning incense, but the patient did not want to do so because burning incense on incense sticks daily allowed her to express homage and veneration for her ancestors,” he explains.
Doctors warn that burning incense entails health risks for the entire population, the most well-known being headaches, respiratory dysfunction, dermatological sensitivity and allergic reactions.
More toxic than tobacco
The Incense vapors contain carbon, sulfur, nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde and other volatile compounds polycyclic aromatics that are carcinogenic. After an analysis, it has been observed that for every gram burned, the particles of matter generated by incense are 45 mg, compared to 10 mg for cigarettes.
“People who burn incense may not realize that family members, including children, who are exposed to secondhand smoke face health consequences,” says allergist Mary Lee-Wong, lead author. of the study and member of the ACAAI.
Furthermore, like tobacco smoke, incense smoke is at risk when concentrated in closed spaces. “Like tobacco smoke, thirdhand incense smoke can linger on furniture, clothing and other items, and dissipate for months afterward,” explains the researcher.
To the patient, finally, They advised him to use electrical devices to burn incense“which resulted in an improvement in their symptoms,” point out the specialists, who warn that, in addition to the health implications, the combustion of incense contributes to air pollution and can pose a fire risk.
Thus, they recommend that patients who burn incense be advised that there are other alternatives, and ask healthcare professionals to take into account the sacred meaning of incense burning, but also recognize that the risks to health cannot be ignored. the health that this practice entails.
“After screening patients for incense use, healthcare professionals should recommend replacement with electric or aromatic vapors, simulated visual effects, improved ventilation, and limiting burning time as strategies to mitigate harm and improve outcomes. symptoms,” they advise in their study.
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