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Size-Segregated Incense Aerosols Drive ROS-Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Programmed Cell Death Across Human Cell
Yi-En Tseng1,2, Ming-Chu Teng1,2, Yu-Siou Huang1,2
1Institute of Medical Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan.
Chemical Research in Toxicology
|February 9, 2026
Summary
Incense burning releases ultrafine particles that cause cellular damage. The organic components of these fine particles are most toxic, leading to cell death and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Aerosol Science
Background:
- Incense burning is a significant indoor source of fine and ultrafine particulate matter (PM).
- The specific properties of incense aerosols driving cellular toxicity are not well understood.
- Understanding these determinants is crucial for assessing indoor air quality and health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the size and chemical properties of incense aerosols.
- To determine the cellular toxicity of different incense aerosol fractions and phases.
- To identify the mechanisms underlying incense-induced cellular damage.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of aerosols from three incense types using Aerodynamics Particle Sizer (APS) and Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS).
- Size segregation of aerosols using Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI).
- Extraction of water-soluble (WP) and organic-phase (OP) components to create incense aerosol extracts (IAEs) for cellular assays.
Main Results:
- Organic-phase IAEs from fine (<0.18 μm) and ultrafine (<0.10 μm) fractions showed the highest cytotoxicity and induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in A549, HEK293T, and SH-SY5Y cells.
- Sandalwood-dominant incense (Type A) aerosols were the most potent.
- Ultrafine OP-IAEs triggered elevated intracellular H2O2, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), ATP depletion, and activation of apoptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy pathways.
Conclusions:
- Ultrafine, lipophilic aerosol fractions from incense are key drivers of cellular toxicity, causing oxidative damage and programmed cell death.
- This study provides a size- and phase-resolved understanding of incense aerosol risks.
- Findings can guide mitigation strategies for indoor environments with high incense use.
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