London - Incense burners and joss sticks have long been used by those seeking inner peace and contentment, or simply trying to banish the smell of cooking or next-door’s drains.
But new research has revealed that smoke from the burners — popular in Eastern cultures and among Western hippies — can damage lungs in the same way as cigarettes. The study by the University of North Carolina in the US shows that the pollutants it contains could inflame the lungs.
The incense releases potentially deadly carbon monoxide as well as other damaging particulates — including microscopic soot fragments. Researchers found the incense smoke contains a range of toxins that cause nose, throat and skin reactions, headaches, asthma and damage to the lungs. - Daily Mail