The Hidden Dangers of Synthetic Incense: A Guide for Young Incense Enthusiasts
Recently, we've noticed that many young incense users have been unwittingly turning to synthetic incense. In communicating with them, we found a concerning trend.
Traditionally, incense is made from a natural blend of adhesive powders (derived from plant-based binders) and aromatic powders. This composition ensures that when burned, the incense releases no toxic or harmful substances. However, some lower-quality incenses are manufactured using cheap wood dust with a low oil content, artificial fragrances, industrial nitrates as accelerants, and chemical binders. These ingredients can release harmful substances when ignited, posing serious health risks, including the potential to cause lung cancer.
The dangers of synthetic incense are significant and include:
- Poor Quality Raw Materials: Often made from low-oil wood powder, coal, or petrochemical products, which are cheap and of low quality.
- Harmful Emissions: They emit substantial amounts of formaldehyde and benzene during burning, both of which are major air pollutants and are three times more carcinogenic than cigarette smoke.
- Intense and Irritating Scents: The strong, artificial fragrance can be overpowering, causing stuffiness, dizziness, restlessness, and affecting both mental focus and mood.
- Disrespectful in Religious Practices: Using synthetic incense for spiritual practices can be seen as irreverent due to its artificial nature and harmful impacts.
It’s crucial for consumers, especially the younger generation new to incense, to be aware of what they are burning. Opting for natural incense is not only safer for health but also more aligned with the respectful traditions of incense use.
