tirupati: As respiratory illnesses continue to rise among women, health experts are alerting sources of widespread neglect: adulterated camphor and incense sticks used in religious rituals. These products are widely present in Indian households, with toxic chemicals posing serious health hazards, especially for women who are often exposed to them in poorly ventilated indoor environments.
Natural camphor originates from cinnamon camphor trees, but more and more synthetic alternatives are entering the market, often adulterating with hexylamine, an industrial chemical chemical commonly found in solid fuel sheets.
Although the clear guidelines of the Indian Standards Agency mandate the religious use of camphor without hexylamine, enforcement remains weak. When burned, hexamine releases harmful smoke that can aggravate asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases.
Retired professor of chemistry Dr. D. Hari noted that synthetic camphor, which is commonly produced using turpentine oil and other petroleum derivatives, has been widely used and unregulated. “The prolonged inhalation of this camphor smoke can lead to persistent coughing, throat irritation and even chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” he warned.
The potential damage of the incense stick is not far away. Many commercial variants use diethyl phthalate (DEP), a chemical binder used to synthesize fragrances. A study published from an environmental health perspective found that burning the aroma can increase indoor DEP concentrations to 16,000 micrograms per cubic meter, beyond the safety limit.
In addition, cigarettes contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as benzene, toluene and formaldehyde, all of which are classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Some researchers also pointed out that the burning aroma is four to five times higher than the particulate matter produced by cigarette smoke.
Bengaluru-based pulmonologist Dr. P. Sundaram stressed that cultural practices should not mask health risks. “People think that camphor is harmless, but when adulterated, they act as silent indoor contaminants,” she said. She recommends using naturally certified products and insisting on proper ventilation during the ceremony to mitigate health risks.
