Incense Smoke Harms Lungs Like Cigarettes, Doctor Warns

Dr. Jamila Aliyu Dikko warns that burning incense can damage lung cells much like smoking. Many commercial sticks contain synthetic perfumes with phthalates, parabens and benzene, a known carcinogen. She highlights cases of non-smoking women in Northern Nigeria who developed lung cancer after daily incense use. The concentrated smoke they inhaled repeatedly proved extremely harmful. To lower risk, burn incense in an empty, well-ventilated room and air it out thoroughly before returning. For a safer alternative, she recommends using essential oil diffusers to fragrance your home.

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