Reducing emissions of air pollutants from incense burning with the addition of nanoscale calcium carbonate

Many studies have investigated the particulate matter (PM) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emissions of burning incense on the quality of surrounding air. However, the reduction of PM and PAHs from burning incense has received little attention. In the present study, two types of incense were made in the laboratory. Five to thirty percent of nanoscale calcium carbonate (nano-CaCO 3) was added to Hsing Shan and Lao Shan wood flours, which are popular incense materials. It was found that the addition of 10% nano-CaCO 3 reduced PM by 7.30 mg/g and reduced particle-phase PAHs by 1.03 µg/g and benzo[a]pyrene equivalent by 0.15 µg/g. In addition, considering the total consumption of incense, we added 10% nano-CaCO 3 in incense powder. Then, it can reduce PM by 73.0 tons, particle-phase PAHs by 10.3 kg, and benzo[a]pyrene equivalent by 1.5 kg in Taiwan per year. The findings of this study may serve as a guide to producing safer and less-polluting incense.