At temples always got alot of people burning joss sticks and
very smelly.
If you smell those joss sticks for a long period of time like if
you work there and everyday you smell the joss sticks burning, will
it actually cause cancer?
Yes.
It's best not to breathe the joss sticks fumes continuosly, but
I don't think people will sit beside the joss stick whole day. Or
at least they should be wise enough not to.
People usually pay their respects and leave, they don't stand
around all day at the same location.
However we should watch our house if we put joss sticks.
Btw, my house and my dharma center don't use normal joss stick..
cos normal joss stick are made of cheap materials that may be
unhealthy etc. We use premium incense that is very very nice
smelling (sandalwood aroma) and probably doesn't have all those
cancer causing junk materials. And we only burn incense when
chanting etc, only 1 incense.
However what people must watch out for is those who burn joss
stick in their house everyday, and there is no good ventilation.
That will be harmful for health.
p.s. usually it is the Chinese folk tradition people who offer
joss sticks at temples for worship. For Buddhists, there is no need
to place joss stick, just bowing or prostrating is enough.
