A good ritual leaves room for fresh air.

A beautiful fragrance and an informed approach to indoor air can belong in the same conversation. We believe a fragrance brand should help make that conversation clearer.

What the new study looked at

A paper published online in Environment International on 19 August 2026 analysed high-time-resolution measurements from 112 London homes collected between 2022 and 2024. It examined fragrance-product use under residential conditions, including incense, candles and oil diffusers. Fragrance use was associated with increased indoor fine-particle exposure, particularly in compact homes and with inadequate ventilation.^[1]

This was not a test of Dhoopam Atelier, nor a survey of every Indian incense product. The products, buildings and behaviours in the research matter. A headline about one setting should not be turned into a precise forecast for every home.

Do not turn peaks into a universal number

The study reported some high hourly particle concentrations. A peak in a particular home is not the typical exposure of every user, and an hourly value is not directly interchangeable with a 24-hour average. The useful lesson is to look at source strength, room conditions, frequency and duration together.

We prefer that kind of explanation to dramatic claims that one incense stick equals an arbitrary number of cigarettes. Such comparisons can hide differences in exposure and composition, rather than helping someone make a proportionate decision.

The room is part of the ritual

The EPA explains that indoor particle levels depend on outdoor air, infiltration, ventilation, filtration, indoor sources and people's activities. Its guidance prioritises reducing sources and includes limiting candle and incense use. Ventilation should also account for the quality of the outdoor air.^[2]

For your own space, think beyond the product name. A small enclosed room is not the same as a larger ventilated one. A brief ritual is not the same as repeatedly lighting sticks all day. If outdoor pollution is high or smoke is uncomfortable, choosing not to burn incense is a sensible option.

Five questions before lighting

Is the room well ventilated? Is the holder stable and heat-resistant? Is the stick away from curtains, paper and other flammable items? Is someone present for the whole burn? Is everyone sharing the room comfortable with smoke and fragrance?

In hotels, offices or shops, there is another consideration: consent and site policy. Shared-air spaces contain people with different preferences and sensitivities. Check fire rules, smoke-detection arrangements and the venue's fragrance policy. Never cover or disable a detector to use incense.

What we choose to say as a brand

We make coreless, charcoal-free dhoop and explain the materials behind each fragrance. We do not claim that these choices make the smoke harmless, or that a natural product automatically improves air quality. Our current product information is not a comparative emissions certificate.

A responsible brand can still celebrate fragrance. It can speak about the warmth of a resin, the softness of a floral blend and the meaning of a personal ritual, while giving practical guidance and respecting the limits of research.

A quieter approach

Use less, stay present, and let the room breathe when outdoor conditions permit. Fragrance should accompany a moment, not demand that every room smell of it all day. Keep it personal, proportionate and considerate of the people around you.

Read the sources

References & further reading

1. Gao et al. (2026). How routine fragrance product use elevates indoor PM2.5 exposure in London households.
   Environment InternationalDOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2026.110471
2. Indoor Particulate Matter. Updated 3 August 2026.
   U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Institutional links are provided for independent reading, not to imply endorsement.