Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1555
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1555
27 Mar 2026
 | 27 Mar 2026

Indoor Burning of Arabian Incense Generates Ultrafine-Rich Particles with Strong Oxidative Potential

Liyuan Zhou, Zhancong Liang, Wei Xu, Ru-Jin Huang, Patrick K. H. Lee, and Chak K. Chan

Abstract. Arabian incense (Bakhoor) burning is a widely practiced fragrancing and ceremonial activity, yet how the Bakhoor composition controls particle emissions and oxidative potential remains poorly constrained, especially under repeated use in low-ventilation settings. Here we characterized emissions from Bakhoor burning in a controlled chamber using a charcoal-assisted heating configuration representative of common practice and quantified aerosol oxidative potential using complementary acellular dithiothreitol (DTT) activity and a macrophage-based intracellular oxidative-stress response, with smoldering sidestream cigarette smoke as a benchmark source. Normalized by the initial Bakhoor mass per burn, Bakhoor burning produced particle mass and number emission rates of 670–1690 µg min-1 g-1 and (6–7) × 1011 particles min-1 g-1, respectively. Ultrafine particles contributed 70–75 % of the total particle number, and their emission rates substantially exceeded those from sidestream cigarette smoke. Across Bakhoor materials, emission magnitude followed a nonlinear power-law relationship with the loading of the hexane-soluble fraction, indicating that this fraction is an important control on particle production. In the acellular assay, the particle mass-normalized DTT consumption rate (OPDTTm) was approximately 32 pmol min-1 µg-1, modestly lower than that of cigarette smoke particles, whereas Bakhoor burning particles elicited stronger intracellular oxidative-stress responses. Ozone aging increased oxidative potential for both sources, and the acellular and cellular responses remained evident after aging equivalent to days of indoor exposure. Overall, Bakhoor burning represents a previously underrecognized source of ultrafine aerosol with substantial oxidative potential.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

29 Jul 2026
Indoor Burning of Arabian Incense Generates Abundant Ultrafine Particles with Strong Oxidative Potential
Liyuan Zhou, Zhancong Liang, Wei Xu, Ru-Jin Huang, Patrick K. H. Lee, and Chak K. Chan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 10587–10604, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-10587-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-10587-2026, 2026
Short summary
Liyuan Zhou, Zhancong Liang, Wei Xu, Ru-Jin Huang, Patrick K. H. Lee, and Chak K. Chan

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-1555', Anonymous Referee #1, 05 Apr 2026
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Liyuan Zhou, 24 Jun 2026
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-1555', Anonymous Referee #2, 27 Apr 2026
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Liyuan Zhou, 24 Jun 2026

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-1555', Anonymous Referee #1, 05 Apr 2026
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Liyuan Zhou, 24 Jun 2026
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-1555', Anonymous Referee #2, 27 Apr 2026
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Liyuan Zhou, 24 Jun 2026

Peer review completion

AR – Author's response | RR – Referee report | ED – Editor decision | EF – Editorial file upload
AR by Liyuan Zhou on behalf of the Authors (24 Jun 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (30 Jun 2026) by Chiara Giorio
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (03 Jul 2026)
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (04 Jul 2026)
ED: Publish as is (06 Jul 2026) by Chiara Giorio
AR by Liyuan Zhou on behalf of the Authors (09 Jul 2026)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

29 Jul 2026
Indoor Burning of Arabian Incense Generates Abundant Ultrafine Particles with Strong Oxidative Potential
Liyuan Zhou, Zhancong Liang, Wei Xu, Ru-Jin Huang, Patrick K. H. Lee, and Chak K. Chan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 10587–10604, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-10587-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-10587-2026, 2026
Short summary
Liyuan Zhou, Zhancong Liang, Wei Xu, Ru-Jin Huang, Patrick K. H. Lee, and Chak K. Chan
Liyuan Zhou, Zhancong Liang, Wei Xu, Ru-Jin Huang, Patrick K. H. Lee, and Chak K. Chan

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Short summary
Indoor combustion sources are an important but still poorly understood cause of indoor particle pollution. Using chamber experiments, we studied a widely used incense-burning practice and found that it produces ultrafine-rich particles with strong oxidative activity. We also showed that the burning material, ignition charcoal, and ozone exposure affect how these particles form and change. This work highlights the important role of indoor combustion sources in shaping indoor particle pollution.
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