The fragrance and peace of mind spread by burning incense may be really worth full, but a recent study has claimed that long exposure to burning incense may increase the risk to develop upper respiratory tract cancer.  

The study which was carried out by the researchers from Statens Serum Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark is to be published in the Oct 1 issue medical journal Cancer.  

The researchers conducted interviews with more than 61,000 Singapore Chinese aged 45-74, who at the beginning of the study were cancer free.  

The researchers were surprised to find that the regular exposure to the burning incense almost doubled their risk to develop squamous cell upper respiratory tract carcinomas including nasal/sinus, tongue, mouth and laryngeal.

Though the researchers at the end of the study found no increase in the risk of acquiring lung cancer through the burning incense, but it did increase the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Carcinoma is basically a cancer, which is as dangerous as other cancers. It arises from the epithelial cells, which line in the structures of the body.

Dr. Jeppe Friborg, of the department of epidemiology research at Statens Serum Institute, the study author informed, “Given that our results are backed by numerous experimental studies showing that incense is a powerful producer of particulate matter and that incense smoke contains carcinogenic substances, I believe incense should be used with caution.”