Worshippers Should Avoid Burning Incense Sticks: Doctor

BANGKOK, Jan 24 (TNA) – Lighting incense sticks poses health threat and worsens the air pollution, which has shrouded the capital for weeks, a doctor warns. Dr. Manoon Leechawengwongs, a lung specialist at Vichaiyut Hospital posted a Facebook message, citing the study of Chulabhorn Research Institute’s Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology. The study shows that smoke from lighting incense stick consists of PM 2.5 and PM 10 particulate matter, greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, which cause eye and nose irritation and coughing. It contains other chemical compound which can cause cancers. He suggested worshippers to use the incense sticks as offerings but do not light them or put it out immediately into the water after use or change to use electric incense sticks. He expressed his concern over the upcoming Lunar New Year, saying he hoped Chinese shrines would announce a burning ban of incense sticks and joss paper to stop generate the tiny dust and carcinogens. In the past two weeks, the Hua Lamphong temple, the Tai Hong Kong shrine at Poh Teck Tung Foundation asked for cooperation from worshippers to refrain from lighting incense sticks to reduce dust. (TNA)