I might have a part answer re: toxicity of incense.
Firstly the amounts we use in the mass these days does not I think cause any problem to those who use it.
Secondly and we would all agree, there is nothing better on entering a church post mass when incense has been used and it is still lingering in the air
Thirdly, all incense used these days either in church or commercial is tested by a number of agencies. One being the
International Fragrance Association created in 1973 in Brussels.
It tests for
a. toxicity if oral ingestion occurs (working in healthcare I have never come
across this yet)
b. contact with the skin (looking at skin absorption)
c. chronic toxicity (repeated contact with the skin)
d. look if it causes other allergies
e. but does not mention about respiratory problems (as a form of smoke ? risk)
On a lighter note incense does have the ability to pinpoint those of a more protestant belief causing the protestant cough as we like to call it here.
In smaller churches it may be wise to mention when it is about to be used for members who have chest problems to either move further down the body of the church or sit near the door to make a polite exit if it becomes too much for them.
David
N.Wales
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