Particulate organic emissions from incense-burning smoke : Chemical compositions and emission characteristics

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

  • Kai Song
  • Ang Li
  • Zichao Wan
  • Yuan Zhang
  • Yuanzheng Gong
  • Daqi Lv
  • Sihua Lu
  • Yu Tan
  • Shuyuan Yan
  • Shichao Yan
  • Jingshun Zhang
  • Baoming Fan
  • Song Guo

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Article number165319
Journal / PublicationScience of the Total Environment
Volume897
Online published4 Jul 2023
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2023

Abstract

Incense burning is a common practice in Asian cultures, releasing hazardous particulate organics. Inhaling incense smoke can result in adverse health effects, yet the molecular compositions of incense-burning organics have not been well investigated due to the lack of measurement of intermediate-volatility and semi-volatile organic compounds (I/SVOCs). To elucidate the detailed emission profile of incense-burning particles, we conducted a non-target measurement of organics emitted from incense combustion. Quartz filters were utilized to trap particles, and organics were analyzed by a comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC × GC–MS) coupled with a thermal desorption system (TDS). To deal with the complex data obtained by GC × GC–MS, homologs are identified mainly by the combination of selected ion chromatograms (SICs) and retention indexes. SICs of 58, 60, 74, 91, and 97 were utilized to identify 2-ketones, acids, fatty acid methyl esters, fatty acid phenylmethyl esters, and alcohols, respectively. Phenolic compounds contribute the most to emission factors (EFs) among all chemical classes, taking up 24.5 % ± 6.5 % of the total EF (96.1 ± 43.1 μg g−1). These compounds are largely derived from the thermal degradation of lignin. Biomarkers like sugars (mainly levoglucosan), hopanes, and sterols are extensively detected in incense combustion fumes. Incense materials play a more important role in shaping emission profiles than incense forms. Our study provides a detailed emission profile of particulate organics emitted from incense burning across the full-volatility range, which can be used in the health risk assessments. The data processing procedure in this work could also benefit those with less experience in non-target analysis, especially GC × GC–MS data processing. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

Research Area(s)

  • GC × GC, Homologs, Incense burning, Particles

Citation Format(s)

Particulate organic emissions from incense-burning smoke: Chemical compositions and emission characteristics. / Song, Kai; Tang, Rongzhi; Li, Ang et al.
In: Science of the Total Environment, Vol. 897, 165319, 01.11.2023.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review