VOCs and Particulate Pollution due to Incense Burning in Temples, China

Abstract

To investigate the air pollution due to incenses burning, formaldehyde, respirable particulate (PM10) and 12 kinds of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and TVOC were measured and analyzed at different sampling sites in Temples located in Shanxi Province and Beijing, China. The main results showed that incense burning significantly elevates the concentrations of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, and TVOC. The total concentrations of aldehyde compounds including formaldehyde, furfural, etc. varied ranging from 0.05 to 1.22 mg/m3 and formaldehyde was the most abundant. The formaldehyde concentrations higher than 0.10 mg/m3 in Beijing Temple were harmful to human health. Benzene and toluene concentrations exceeded the recommended levels 0.05 mg/m3 by ‘WHO’, respectively. The number concentrations of PM10 in a Shanxi Temple were the highest and PM10 in all the Temples were greater than that outside Temples. It indicates that incense burning was the main source for formaldehyde, VOCs and respirable particle. The health risk for Buddhist priest, staffs and worshipers in the Temples exposed to incense burning for long time may be increased.