The Catholic church has said it will take seriously any suggestion that the use of incense in ceremonies may pose a threat to health.
Minister of State Dr Jim McDaid, who is a medical doctor, yesterday expressed concern that the health of altar servers is being put at risk from smoke rising from the incense burner known as a thurible.
A spokeswoman for the Dublin diocese said 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 it's been raised, I think it's seriously something that should be looked into."
Dr McDaid - who was speaking in favour of the Minister for Health's plan to ban smoking in restaurants, pubs and workplaces from January next - said high levels of carcinogenic carbon molecules in the smoke are being inhaled by young altar servers.
He was quoted today as saying it made him "cringe" when he saw a huge cloud of smoke rising into children's faces as incense was burned, particularly given the delicate nature of a child's lungs and the level of irritation it must cause.
He made it clear, however, he was not against the use of incense at religious ceremonies.
The Dublin diocese spokeswoman said: "There are guidelines about how the thurible should be employed. Obviously anything that sends a cloud of smoke into a child's face is something we would be concerned about."
The spokeswoman said incense was widely used in the past during benediction and High Mass. It is most often used now in funeral ceremonies, when the priest performs a blessing over the coffin.
Fr John McCann, who is Master of Ceremonies to the Archbishop of Dublin, said he believed there was growing awareness about the potential effects of the smoke from burning incense.
"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".