Posted on 11/22/2004 9:57:59 AM PST by Southside_Chicago_Republican
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - A visit to church may be good for the soul but not so good for the lungs, a new study shows.
Scientists from Maastricht University found that burning candles and incense in church can release dangerous levels of potentially carcinogenic particles, according to research published this week in the European Respiratory Journal.
"After a day of candle burning we found about 20 times as much as by a busy road," Theo de Kok, the author of the study, told Reuters.
"These levels were so unbelievably high we thought we should report it to the public."
The air at a Maastricht basilica contained 20 times the European Union (news - web sites) limit of PM10 particles after a simulated mass ceremony. Tiny PM10 particles can be inhaled and are therefore a potential hazard.
The scientists also found high levels of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as well as some unknown types of free radicals released from burning candles and incense. Free radical atoms act as starters and promoters of cancer tumors. "The exposures are worrisome, not so much for the occasional church-goer, but priests, choirs and other people working in churches may have significant exposure," he said.
De Kok said priests at the church in Maastricht had tried to improve ventilation after the study. He also noted some churches had stopped using real candles to protect artwork and delicate interiors.
"It could be an alternative to use fewer candles, better candles, use electric candles or improve ventilation," he said.
De Kok called for research into whether priests, monks and others who work in churches were more prone to lung disease.
"Particle pollution, whether it be in an outdoor or indoor environment, can be a danger to lung health and cause respiratory diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis," said Richard Russell of the British Thoracic Society (BTS).
Just as soon as John Edwards can tie his shoes.
Never mind the candles, what about that incense they swing aorund on a chain?
Glad to be Baptist here. We don't burn anything (well, excepting the occasional dish prepared by the youngest woman in the church for the potluck! lol)
This guy would be very popular in San Francisco.
Stage name. Gotta be.
Return to tallow.
Several years ago I was at vespers at a Russian Orthodox Church in Chicago. I closed my eyes for a moment or so, during the time the deacon came out to cense the icons and the faithful. When I opened my eyes I noticed my vision was blurred and I rubbed my eyes to clear it. Turns out it was the thick cloud of incense blocking my view. I love it, but I know people who are bothered by it.
Darned..and I just gave up snake-handling 'cause I thought this would be safer.
I guess it's just pick your poison.
Rush Limbaugh is having a field day with this story on his radio program right now.
This just in from Reuters! Prayer causes cancer! Faith causes scurvy! Believing in anything other than humanistic leftist ideology results in certain death! Oh yeah, and George Bush is still an idiot, and, uh, Americans are still stupid and uncultured. We know, because we said so, and after all, we're Reuters!
There's definitely a purpose to the use of incense and candles, but it can be overdone. More modern houses of worship usually have better ventilation, so that one doesn't feel overwhelmed. Without getting into an explanation of purpose (for those of you who belong to a religion or sect which doesn't use these tools), suffice it to say, these devices can enhance the focus of prayerfulness and create an atmosphere of repose and responsiveness to God. Of course, one doesn't ultimately need any of these to commune with God, but they're employed to create a focus and add beauty.
It is absolutely true that candles and incense cause particulate pollution, I know, I work in the field. However, before any lawsuits get started, let's talk about the average house.
If you burn a piece of toast in the morning, you will be breathing it when you go to bed. If you use air fresheners, you are inhaling toxics. Your carpet is harboring allergenic insects. All of the cleaning solutions you use can cause trouble including so-called "natural" products. If your house is newer than 1980, your risk is increased greatly if your windows aren't open all the time.
Risk is relative. Cow dung is a perfectly natural fuel that commonly causes female lung cancer in India. I'll take the candles.
Good point, and something that should be common knowledge. I know that in Orthodox churches that have been around for a while, the icons and frescoes on the ceilings typically have a dark and aged look -- the affect over time of the smoke from candles and incense. Many iconographers will use brighter colors of paint -- sometimes almost pastels -- anticipating that this aging will happen.
What bothers me is the attitude that we should have some kind of "clean room" environment everywhere when, in fact, we live on a ball of dirt with all kinds of particulate matter in the air.
People with waaay too much time on their hands.
Wanna bet the study was gov't funded?
But there's absolutely no risk to visiting brothels or hash bars...
Chokes us up, can't do it.
Yeah but the dust mites in those aged hymnals are deadly when inhaled.
I think the whole point of this story is to start people thinking of regulating religion in the actual church.
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