Could Incense Burned in Church Give You Cancer?

incense causes dementia

Did the priest park the incense pot in your lap and make you hold it for an hour? Lit??? Just how often does he do this to you?

Will a $250,000 study keep you happy?

u gotta be kdding of IL @ Aug 25, 2008 22:08:02 PM

Incense in Church

Read the article: "Exposure to burning incense over long periods of time raises the risk of developing cancers of the upper respiratory tract, a new study shows." Incense is, today, relatively rare in church services. I know of nobody, including clergy, who spend the kind of sustained time in an incense-filled environment to be at risk. Certainly, those with asthma and other respiratory problems should take the same care they would if it were a bad smoggy day in LA.

David of FL @ Aug 25, 2008 21:59:00 PM

No big surprise here. Lungs are designed to process air, not smoke. Probably doesn't have as many toxic substances as cigarettes, but smoke alone is not good for anyone.

Belinda @ Aug 25, 2008 21:57:16 PM

Burning Incense As A Carcinogen

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MAN WHO SIGNED HIS COMMENT 'AETHER' FOR SHOWING THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON LIVING IN THE REAL WORLD. #MAYBE THERE'S HOPE AFTER ALL.........NOT FOR THE NERVOUS NELLIES OUT THERE, BUT FOR THE REST OF US WHO ARE NOT PRONE TO HYSTERIA.

Lee Larson of MN @ Aug 25, 2008 21:45:14 PM

I'll take my chance in Church....

I live in Maine and have visited Singapore. The number of active smokers in Maine is astonishing. The number of complains about incense and perfumes is equally as high. The prefer body odor and smelling their own flatus. While visiting Singapore the prayer boxes and temple involve the burning of incense...to honor the spirits. The huge Budhist Temple has thousands of incense sticks...it is inspiring and traditional.

Mainers drink a great deal of spirits of another sort and of course must have a cigarette to create some body symetrey. Or they might loose their balance.

Incense has been burnt in churches for centuries...about as long as man has cooked food over fires and continues with Bar B Q's..

The amount of hydrocarbons one intakes coupled with all cancer agents plus the genetic background of the individual proves incense in a pee-hole in the snow as causes of cancer...except maybe your atheists. Honey, get out the holy water...I got one on the run!

Rich of ME @ Aug 25, 2008 21:11:12 PM

By far the biggest 'who cares' story I've seen featured in Google News in a while.

This must have been a tremendously slow news day, eh?

Unamused of OR @ Aug 25, 2008 21:04:18 PM

Just another attempt at Catholic bashing

The key to the purported increase in risk for cancer in the study is REPEATED, DAILY USE in spaces with LIMITED VENTILATION. Why would the Catholic Church be called out in this article where incense use is limited unless the author wanted to create another reason for people to bash the Catholic Church? Give me a break! Yes, I have asthma and yes, I go to Mass where incense is used. Does the incense bother me? Yes, sometimes. But, so does spending a few hours outside in smoggy Los Angeles, or communing with the great outdoors in a pollen-laden grass field, or hanging out for a few minutes with my brother who smokes. Here's some common sense for you...let's not try to create a problem where there is none.

Sick of all the whining of CA @ Aug 25, 2008 21:02:26 PM

Really?

Reading the article annoyed me so much that a few of my synapses freaked out and are now forming a brain tumor. Yous hould probably initiate a study.

Beth of CA @ Aug 25, 2008 21:00:38 PM