Work

Residential Incense Burning, Indoor Air Pollution, and Cardiovascular Hemodynamic Alterations

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Indoor incense burning is an important yet underrecognized source of indoor air pollution. This study examined short‐term associations between residential air pollutants, ventilation conditions, and cardiovascular hemodynamics. Seventy‐three adults from the YOung TAiwanese (YOTA) cohort were recruited from 60 households. Twenty‐four‐hour indoor particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10 ) and gaseous pollutants (CO, CO 2 , TVOCs, and formaldehyde) were continuously monitored alongside noninvasive cardiovascular hemodynamic assessments. Incense‐burning households exhibited significantly higher pollutant concentrations and worse cardiovascular parameters, including higher blood pressure, cardiac workload, and lower vascular compliance. In mixed‐effects models, gaseous pollutants (especially CO, CO 2 , and TVOCs) were consistently associated with adverse hemodynamic changes. Crucially, interaction analyses revealed strong possible combined pollutant effects between PM 2.5 and gaseous pollutants (TVOCs and CO), which profoundly exacerbated myocardial contractility and severely impaired vascular elasticity. Furthermore, in non–incense‐burning environments, poor ventilation (indicated by elevated CO 2 ) acted as an independent physiological stressor, triggering acute compensatory hemodynamic responses. These findings indicate that short‐term residential exposure to indoor air pollutants, especially as complex combustion mixtures, acutely alters cardiovascular hemodynamics. Beyond single pollutants, evaluating synergistic interactions and ventilation efficiency is critical for understanding cardiovascular stress. Ultimately, improving indoor ventilation is a vital strategy for mitigating cardiovascular risks.

Source: Indoor Air

DOI: 10.1155/ina/8778576

Authors: Jia-Kun Chen, Chi-Hua Cheng, Yun-Shan Chung, Zhi-Yu Liu, Ci-Wen Luo, Ta-Chen Su

Institutions: National Taiwan University, Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Cathay General Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,490