Could Incense Burned in Church Give You Cancer?

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Hi Adam, It could be your church is using a very high quality incense, one with no synthetic fragrances added. My priest says that is the main reason some incense is causing problems while others do not. Also, your church may be well ventilated. It sounds like you are young and have good lungs. Be thankful for that, and do yourself and everyone else a big favor and don't smoke cigarettes. I might not have the problems I am having today if I hadn't smoked when I was young. Love and Prayers, Susannah

Susannah of CA 2:21PM March 06, 2010

I loved reading this blog, you totally knocked it out of the ballpark! I have forwarded a link to my friends, and will definately be returning back for more updates.

lingerie uk of AL 4:29PM November 25, 2009

[... - www.usnews.com is another great source of tips on this issue,[... -

Loan Rate >> How can I refinance my cc ... of AL 3:08AM November 25, 2009

I am a Ukrainian Catholic altar server and I deal with the kadylo(censer) every Divine Liturgy & the incense doesnt bother me at all! So how can that bother me and cause cancer? I dont sneeze or cough or have and respiratory problems. I load a heaping spoonful of incense on the charcoal for each incensation! ESPECIALLY FOR A SPECIAL HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION!!!! I PERSONALLY THINKS GOD HEARS MY PRAYERS A LOT FASTER

ADAM KACSUR of PA 6:03PM September 17, 2009

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DRohErKsCaGLxCjVWl of 10:42AM August 10, 2009

Churches may be a health risk. Wow. And if you live in Singapore, I'm sure the fear of incense-over-exposure is right up there with getting run over in traffic.

MidwestIowa of IA 6:18PM November 05, 2008

I am Orthodox Christian. We use incense routinely, and I serve at the altar and am usually the one in charge of the censer, something I've been doing for the past twenty years

Have I thought about this? You bet! I'm with Tony. I figure I'm putting myself at risk because no matter what else might be found, I am breathing smoke all the time. This smoke may not have all the bad stuff cigarettes have, but it's still smoke. It's a choice I have made. On the other hand, MANY, MANY, MANY Orthodox clergy and monastics live very long lives, so I don't think I am automatically dooming myself to an early grave either. I simply accept it as a risk I take. Who knows what other things I've been exposed to!

Mark of NM 11:55AM October 20, 2008

I am Orthodox Christian. We use incense routinely, and I serve at the altar and am usually the one in charge of the censer, something I've been doing for the past twenty years

Have I thought about this? You bet! I'm with Tony. I figure I'm putting myself at risk because no matter what else might be found, I am breathing smoke all the time. This smoke may not have all the bad stuff cigarettes have, but it's still smoke. It's a choice I have made. On the other hand, MANY, MANY, MANY Orthodox clergy and monastics live very long lives, so I don't think I am automatically dooming myself to an early grave either. I simply accept it as a risk I take. Who knows what other things I've been exposed to!

Mark of CA 11:54AM October 20, 2008

Incense in moderation is very healthy for the mind and body. Breathing large amounts of incense smoke all day every day of course is not healthy. Just like drinking a glass of wine every day is healthy but drinking a bottle is not. Healers, spiritual leaders, monks, and many others have been using and advocating the use of incense for thousands of years because they are well aware of all its benefits. The benefits of using incense far outway the small risk of cancer and the cancer risk only applies if you are exposed to large amounts of smoke regularly over a very long period. To see the opposite side of this story and learn more about the many benefits of incense go to http://www.IncenseInformation.com

Ryan of PA 3:35AM September 18, 2008

just living in big cities, can give you cancer, inhaling all the every day pollution,from the air, and the stress of the enviornment of every day living

harriett nelson of MS 10:06AM August 27, 2008

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Thinking Harder

This blog is the public workshop of U.S. News writer and editor Ben Harder. In articles published in the magazine, he has covered a range of sciences, including medicine, human behavior, prehistory, and evolution. Here, he can explore those and other scientific fields more fully and more informally than is possible in print. He'll share whatever seems noteworthy or potentially useful, and he invites readers to do the same.

WTOP Audio
On Feb. 24, 2008, Ben discussed the link between artificial light and cancer on WTOP radio. Listen to the interview at WTOP News. He again talked about light pollution on WTOP on March 22, exploring its environmental effects.

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