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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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Hussein T. Indoor Exposure and Regional Inhaled Deposited Dose Rate during Smoking and Incense Stick Burning-The Jordanian Case as an Example for Eastern Mediterranean Conditions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:587. [PMID: 36612906 PMCID: PMC9819828 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Tobacco smoking and incense burning are commonly used in Jordanian microenvironments. While smoking in Jordan is prohibited inside closed spaces, incense burning remains uncontrolled. In this study, particle size distributions (diameter 0.01-25 µm) were measured and inhaled deposited dose rates were calculated during typical smoking and incense stick-burning scenarios inside a closed room, and the exposure was summarized in terms of number and mass concentrations of submicron (PNSub) and fine particles (PM2.5). During cigarette smoking and incense stick-burning scenarios, the particle number concentrations exceeded 3 × 105 cm-3. They exceeded 5 × 105 cm-3 during shisha smoking. The emission rates were 1.9 × 1010, 6.8 × 1010, and 1.7 × 1010 particles/s, respectively, for incense, cigarettes, and shisha. That corresponded to about 7, 80, and 120 µg/s, respectively. Males received higher dose rates than females, with about 75% and 55% in the pulmonary/alveolar during walking and standing, respectively. The total dose rates were in the order of 1012-1013 #/h (103-104 µg/h), respectively, for PNSub and PM2.5. The above reported concentrations, emissions rates, and dose rates are considered seriously high, recalling the fact that aerosols emitted during such scenarios consist of a vast range of toxicant compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tareq Hussein
- Environmental and Atmospheric Research Laboratory (EARL), Department of Physics, School of Science, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan;
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR/Physics), University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
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Nguyen TC, Tran HVT, Nguyen TH, Vo DC, Godin I, Michel O. Identification of Modifiable Risk Factors of Exacerbations Chronic Respiratory Diseases with Airways Obstruction, in Vietnam. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11088. [PMID: 36078802 PMCID: PMC9517880 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191711088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES to determine modifiable risk factors of exacerbations in chronic respiratory diseases with airways obstruction (i.e., asthma and COPD) in southern Vietnam. METHODS an environmental and health-related behavioural questionnaire was submitted to patients with both chronic respiratory symptoms and airways obstruction. An exacerbation was defined as any acute worsening in clinical symptoms requiring a change in treatment, in a patient receiving prophylactic therapy. RESULTS 235 patients were evaluated, including 131 (56%) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 104 (44%) asthmatics. There were 75% males and 69% smokers. Occupational exposure accounted for 66%, mainly among construction and industry workers. Smoking was associated with more severe airways obstruction. Respiratory exacerbations were reported in 56/235 patients (24%). The risk of exacerbation was increased in patients with a lower education level, exposure to occupational pollutants, cumulative smoking ≥ 20 pack year, housing space < 10 m2, and poorly ventilated housing. Based on multivariate analysis, the risk of exacerbation remained significantly higher among patients with occupational exposure and low housing space per person. CONCLUSIONS besides smoking cessation, more supportive policies, including improvement of occupational environment and housing design for better ventilation, are needed to prevent the severity of chronic respiratory diseases in Vietnam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Chau Nguyen
- Department of Family Medicine, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City 740500, Vietnam
| | - Hoa Vi Thi Tran
- Department of Family Medicine, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City 740500, Vietnam
| | - Thanh Hiep Nguyen
- Department of Family Medicine, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City 740500, Vietnam
| | - Duc Chien Vo
- Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City 740500, Vietnam
| | - Isabelle Godin
- School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Olivier Michel
- Clinic of Immuno-Allergology, CHU Brugmann, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 4 Place A-Van Gehuchten, 1020 Brussels, Belgium
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Jung CC, Syu ZH, Su HJ, Lian PY, Chen NT. Stable C and N isotopes of PM 2.5 and size-segregated particles emitted from incense stick and cigarette burning. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113346. [PMID: 35461851 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113346] [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: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This work measured the δ13C and δ15N signatures in PM2.5 and size-segregated particles emitted from incense stick and cigarette burning in different brands or nicotine contents for pollution source identification indoors. Three popular brands of incense stick and cigarette were selected for experiments. A personal environmental monitoring sampler and a Sioutas cascade impactor were used to collect PM2.5 and size-segregated particles, respectively, for isotopic signatures analyses. Our data showed that both δ13C and δ15N values were heavier from incense stick burning (δ13C: 27.3 ± 0.5; δ15N: 8.63 ± 1.35) than cigarette (δ13C: 28.5 ± 0.2; δ15N: 4.15 ± 0.69). The scatter plots of δ13C and TC/PM2.5 and of δ15N and TN/PM2.5 can be applied to distinguish particle pollution sources and assess the influence of cigarette burning to PM2.5 according to different nicotine contents. The δ13C values in size-segregated particles were similar to incense stick or cigarette burning; the δ13C values in PM2.5 were significantly higher than those in size-segregated particles. However, the nitrogen amount was too low in most of the size-segregated particles to analyze δ15N from incense stick and cigarette burning. These results suggest that the δ13C signatures on PM2.5 cannot represent the isotopic characteristics of size-segregated particles and δ15N has limitation for pollution source identification of different particle sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Cheng Jung
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan.
| | - Zih-Hong Syu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan.
| | - Huey-Jen Su
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan.
| | - Pei-Yu Lian
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan.
| | - Nai-Tzu Chen
- Research Center of Environmental Trace Toxic Substances, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 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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Lee CW, Vo TTT, Wee Y, Chiang YC, Chi MC, Chen ML, Hsu LF, Fang ML, Lee KH, Guo SE, Cheng HC, Lee IT. The Adverse Impact of Incense Smoke on Human Health: From Mechanisms to Implications. J Inflamm Res 2021; 14:5451-5472. [PMID: 34712057 PMCID: PMC8548258 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s332771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Incense burning is a very popular activity in daily life among many parts all over the world. A growing body of both epidemiological and experimental evidences has reported the negative effects of incense use on human well-being, posing a potential threat at public significance. This work is a comprehensive review that covers the latest findings regarding the adverse impact of incense smoke on our health, providing a panoramic visualization ranging from mechanisms to implications. The toxicities of incense smoke come directly from its harmful constituents and deposition capacity in the body. Besides, reactive oxygen species-driven oxidative stress and associated inflammation seem to be plausible underlying mechanisms, eliciting various unfavorable responses. Although our current knowledge remains many gaps, this issue still has some important implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiang-Wen Lee
- Department of Nursing, Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center and Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County, Taiwan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Puzi City, Chiayi County, Taiwan
- Department of Safety Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Thi Thuy Tien Vo
- School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yinshen Wee
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Yao-Chang Chiang
- Department of Nursing, Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center and Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County, Taiwan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Puzi City, Chiayi County, Taiwan
| | - Miao-Ching Chi
- Chronic Disease and Health Promotion Research Center, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County, Taiwan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Puzi City, Chiayi County, Taiwan
- Department of Respiratory Care, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County, Taiwan
| | - Min-Li Chen
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Puzi City, Chiayi County, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County, Taiwan
| | - Lee-Fen Hsu
- Department of Respiratory Care, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County, Taiwan
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Puzi City, Chiayi County, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Ling Fang
- Center for Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Super Micro Research and Technology Center, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Han Lee
- Department of Pharmacy, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Su-Er Guo
- Graduate Institute of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Puzi City, Chiayi County, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Chung Cheng
- School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-Ta Lee
- School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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