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Guo SE, Ratner PA, Tseng SC, Lin CM, Chi MC, Lee CW, Yu YC. Exposure to incense burning, biomarkers, and the physical health of temple workers in Taiwan. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:101804-101816. [PMID: 37659022 PMCID: PMC10542283 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29420-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Incense burning releases heavy particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), known to have adverse effects on human health. Long-term exposure to PM and NO2 increases inflammatory cytokine levels and can induce respiratory diseases. This study examined the association between incense burning exposure and the health status, especially inflammatory biomarkers, of temple workers and volunteers in Taiwan. The longitudinal observational study compared adult temple workers and volunteers, with long-term incense burning exposure, to residents from outpatient clinics in the Chiayi area. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and serum and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) cytokines were assessed. Nonparametric Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare cytokine levels of the exposure and control groups during the cold and hot weather seasons. FEV1 was significantly more diminished in the exposed group than in the control group during the cold season. Exposure status was associated with greater hot-cold seasonal differences in serum interleukins (IL)-1β (regression coefficient (B) = 6.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.0 to 8.3, p < .001), IL17-A (B = 2.4, 95% CI = 0.3 to 4.5, p = .03), and plasminogen activator inhibitor [PAI]-1 (B = 5.4, 95% CI = 1.5 to 9.3, p = .009). After adjusting for confounders, the groups' serum levels of IL-1β, IL-17A, and PAI-1 significantly differed. EBC cytokines did not show significant differences. Elevated levels of IL-1β, IL17-A, and PAI-1 have been associated with various autoinflammatory syndromes and diseases. Given the cultural significance of incense burning, culturally sensitive interventions, including education, policy development, and program implementation, are crucial to protect individuals' health, especially temple workers, from the adverse effects of exposure, addressing the manufacture, importation, and sale of incense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Er Guo
- Department of Nursing and Graduate Institute of Nursing, College of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology (CGUST), Chiayi County, 613016, Taiwan.
- Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, CGUST, Chiayi County, 613016, Taiwan.
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH) Chiayi Branch, Chiayi County, 613, Taiwan.
- Department of Safety Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, 24301, Taiwan.
| | - Pamela A Ratner
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Sung-Chih Tseng
- Family Medicine Department, CGMH Chiayi Branch, Chiayi County, 61363, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Mo Lin
- Department of Nursing and Graduate Institute of Nursing, College of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology (CGUST), Chiayi County, 613016, Taiwan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, CGMH Chiayi Branch, Chiayi County, 61363, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University (CGU), Taoyuan City, 33302, Taiwan
| | - Miao-Ching Chi
- Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, CGUST, Chiayi County, 613016, Taiwan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, CGMH Chiayi Branch, Chiayi County, 61363, Taiwan
- Department of Respiratory Care, CGUST, Chiayi County, 613016, Taiwan
| | - Chiang-Wen Lee
- Department of Nursing and Graduate Institute of Nursing, College of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology (CGUST), Chiayi County, 613016, Taiwan
- Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, CGUST, Chiayi County, 613016, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH) Chiayi Branch, Chiayi County, 613, Taiwan
- Division of Basic Medical Sciences, CGMH Chiayi Branch, Chiayi County, 61363, Taiwan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CGMH Chiayi Branch, Chiayi County, 61363, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, CGU, Taoyuan City, 33302, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chun Yu
- Department of Nursing and Graduate Institute of Nursing, College of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology (CGUST), Chiayi County, 613016, Taiwan
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Jung CC, Syu ZH, Chou CCK, Huang YT. A study to characterize the lead isotopic fingerprint in PM 2.5 emitted from incense stick and cigarette burning. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:56893-56903. [PMID: 36929257 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26383-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The incense sticks and cigarettes burning are key sources of particulate matter with a diameter of ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) in indoor and outdoor air. While lead (Pb) isotope ratios provide valuable insights into the origin of particle pollution, their applicability for investigating these source remains unclear. The Pb isotope ratios in the PM2.5 emitted from these two sources were analyzed, and effects of brands or nicotine contents on the ratios were assessed. In addition, As, Cr, and Pb were analyzed to investigate whether Pb isotope ratios can serve as an indicator for the source investigation of these metals. We found that average ratios of 206Pb/204Pb, 206Pb/207Pb, and 208Pb/207Pb in cigarettes were heavier than those in incense sticks. Scatter plots of Pb isotope ratios indicated an overlap of values for incense sticks or cigarettes linked to different brands, in that ratios for cigarettes with high nicotine content were heavier than for those with low nicotine content. Scatter plots of As, Cr, or Pb concentration against Pb isotope ratios clearly distinguished the effects of cigarette burning versus incense sticks with respect to PM2.5 of these metals. Results indicate that brand differences did not affect the determination of PM2.5 in these two sources. We suggest that Pb isotope ratios can be a useful tool in investigating the influence of incense sticks and of cigarettes (with high or low nicotine content) burning to PM2.5 and associated metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Cheng Jung
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 100, Sec. 1, Jingmao Rd, Beitun District, Taichung City, 40640, Taiwan.
| | - Zih-Hong Syu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Charles C-K Chou
- Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Tang Huang
- Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica, Taipei City, Taiwan
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Yadav VK, Malik P, Tirth V, Khan SH, Yadav KK, Islam S, Choudhary N, Inwati GK, Arabi A, Kim DH, Jeon BH. Health and Environmental Risks of Incense Smoke: Mechanistic Insights and Cumulative Evidence. J Inflamm Res 2022; 15:2665-2693. [PMID: 35509323 PMCID: PMC9058426 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s347489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Incense burning is practiced alongside many sacred rituals across different regions of the world. Invariable constituents of incense brands are 21% (by weight) herbal and wood powder, 33% bamboo stick, 35% fragrance material, and 11% adhesive powder. Major incense-combustion outputs include particulate matter (PM), volatile organic content, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The relative toxicity of these products is an implicit function of particle size and incomplete combustion, which in turn vary for a specific incense brand. Lately, the attention given to the Air Quality Index by international regulatory bodies has created concern about mounting PM toxicity. The uncharacteristically small physical dimensions of these entities complicates their detection, and with no effect of gravity PM fractions rapidly contribute to oxidative stress, enhancing random biochemical reactions upon being inhaled. Incense burning generates four times the PM extent (45 mg•g−1) of cigarettes (~10 mg•g−1). Several poisonous gases, such as CO, CO2, NO2, and SO2, and the unavoidable challenge of disposing of the burnt incense ash further add to the toxicity. Taken together, these issues demonstrate that incense burning warrants prompt attention. The aim of this article is to highlight the toxicity of incense-combustion materials on the environment and human health. This discussion could be significant in framing future policy regarding ecofriendly incense manufacture and reduced usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virendra Kumar Yadav
- Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, PP Savani University, Surat, Gujarat, 394125, India
| | - Parth Malik
- School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, 382030, Gujarat, India
| | - Vineet Tirth
- Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, 61411, Asir, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha, 61413, Asir, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Krishna Kumar Yadav
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Madhyanchal Professional University, Bhopal, 462044, India
| | - Saiful Islam
- Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, 61411, Asir, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Nisha Choudhary
- Department of Environment Science, School of Sciences, PP Savani University, Kosamba, Surat, Gujarat, 394125, India
| | - Gajendra Kumar Inwati
- Department of Chemistry, DP Chaturvedi College, Rani Durgavati University, Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, 480661, India
| | - Amir Arabi
- Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, 61411, Asir, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Do-Hyeon Kim
- Department of Earth Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea
| | - Byong-Hun Jeon
- Department of Earth Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea
- Correspondence: Byong-Hun Jeon, Email
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