FOR centuries it has played an important role in spiritual worship, or simply been used to create a relaxing atmosphere in the home.

But now fears have been raised that incense may pose a cancer threat to the altar boys and girls who regularly inhale it while serving at funerals.

Dr Jim McDaid, a minister of state in the Irish government's transport ministry, yesterday highlighted the health risk posed by its use

The Irish Roman Catholic Church said it would treat seriously the concerns of Dr McDaid, who claimed altar servers were at risk because they inhaled the carcinogenic substance when it is used at funeral masses.

However, the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland said that although it would keep an open mind on the issue there would need to be more evidence that using incense for short periods was hazardous before it considered halting its use.

Scientists discovered two years ago that burning incense in churches can expose worshippers to dangerous levels of cancer-causing chemicals and that the substance can create more toxic pollution than road traffic at a busy junction.

Highlighting the threat to altar boys and girls yesterday in a comment on one of Ireland's burning issues of the moment - a government plan to ban smoking in the workplace - Dr McDaid, who operated a medical practice before entering politics and supports the smoking ban, said: ''I am not anti-church, anti-smoke or indeed against the use of incense.

''But there is a serious aspect to this. We all know that carbon is a carcinogenic agent, and wherever you have smoke, you are actually looking at carbon molecules.

''And wherever you have carbon molecules and happen to be inhaling them, then there is that chance that you will be doing damage.''

A spokeswoman for the Dublin archdiocese said that although there was no official position on Dr McDaid's remarks, any concerns about the use of incense would be taken seriously by the church.

''Given that it has been raised, I think it is seriously something that should be looked into,'' she added. ''Obviously anything that sends a cloud of smoke into a child's face is something we would be concerned about.''

Father John McCann, master of ceremonies to the Archbishop of Dublin, said he believed there was growing awareness about the potential effects of the smoke from incense.

He said: ''For example, in a large church building where there is plenty of space, I would be less worried. But in a small church building you have to be particularly aware, particularly if there are servers suffering from asthma.''

Peter Kearney, a spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland, said: ''Without more evidence it is difficult to draw any conclusions except that incense has been used for generations with no suggestion of untoward effects among priests or parishioners.

''The church will always be open to best practice and learning from others' experience so we will keep an open mind on the issue but there would need to be a great deal more evidence suggesting it was hazardous before we stopped using it. Incense is little used and when it is used it is for short periods.''

Incense, which many people also burn in stick or cone form to relax at home, was widely used for ceremonial purposes during benediction and high mass at Roman Catholic churches. However, it is now most often used at funeral masses when the priest performs a blessing over the coffin before it is carried out of the church.

Powdered incense is poured on top of charcoal-like blocks in a heat-resistant thurible, or metal container, which the priest swings as he walks round the coffin. The incense, which is used as a purifier, produces a distinctive smoke and aroma.

scent of ages

Incense has been used for centuries in many cultures.

Modern sources include the use saltpetre (potassium nitrate) but it appears in many forms including raw woods, chopped herbs, pastes, powders, oils, sticks, and cones.

The Roman Catholic church uses it in funeral ceremonies when the priest performs a blessing over the coffin by swinging a thurible, or metal container, on a chain to disperse the incense.

It is believed incense can clear negative energies and provide a sense of tranquillity to any room or space.

It is thought to balance the mind, increase mental clarity, purify the air, and increase faith.