Characteristics of Exposure to Particles due to Incense Burning inside Temples in Kanpur, India

Anubha Goel,Manish Agrawal,Tirthankar Chakraborty,Roshan Wathore

doi:10.4209/aaqr.2016.04.0146

Abstract

ABSTRACTIncense burning in temples is a common and popular ritual in India and other Asian countries. This study aims at assessing the quantity and size segregated distribution of particulate matter in temples of Kanpur city, India. Active air sampling was performed in three temples using the Micro Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI). PM10 mass concentrations as high as 2184 µg m–3 were recorded inside the temples. Mass concentration values for all samples exceeded the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 100 µg m–3. Particle counts were high, and more than 99% of the numbers of particles generated were PM2.5. Particle coagulation is an active mechanism leading to formation of polydispersed particles. Most abundant particles occur in the accumulation mode (dp < 1 µm). Ventilation conditions and amount of incense burned are major factors affecting particle size distribution. Exposure through inhalation, to critically high concentrations of fine particulate matter generated via incense smoke especially for worshippers who frequent the temple and temple workers, raises health concerns. The results clearly indicate that incense smoke is a major source of particulate matter in the temple microenvironment and their chemical characteristics need further examination.

Highlights

People spend greater than 80% of their time in indoor environments and Indoor air pollution is the second largest killer in India after high blood pressure (Lomborg, 2014)
According to WHO guidelines on indoor air quality (WHO, 2006), the 24-hour mean PM10 concentration should be less than 50 μg m–3
The national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for India allow 24- hour mean PM10 concentration up to 100 μg m–3. Though both of these limits are for ambient air, same guidelines were recommended for assessment of indoor air quality in terms of PM10 and PM2.5 (WHO 2006)

Summary

Introduction

People spend greater than 80% of their time in indoor environments and Indoor air pollution is the second largest killer in India after high blood pressure (Lomborg, 2014). Particle size distribution in indoor environments is dominated by fine and ultrafine particles (Jai Devi et al, 2009) and lead to potential health risks (Chiang et al, 2009). Because of their small size, can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and even cross biological barriers, leading to adverse health effects (IbaldMulli et al, 2002). They may act as efficient carriers of toxic compounds (mutagenic in nature, such as PAHs) into the pulmonary alveoli (Kawanaka et al, 2009), which can result in lung cancer (Dennekamp et al, 2001). Research on the physical and chemical properties of particles from incense burning is of growing interest (See et al, 2007; Wang et al, 2007; Kuo et al, 2016)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion