The primary risk factors for COPD include smoking and growing air pollution. But recent studies have shown that indoor air pollution is frequently overlooked as a key contributing factor. To make matters worse, the widely utilized mosquito coil might harm ones health. 

World Health Organization (WHO) states that home pollution is responsible for 4.3 million deaths yearly. According to Dr. Samir Garde, Director of Pulmonology and Lung Transplant at Global Hospitals in Mumbai, inhaling fumes from mosquito coils can be as harmful as smoking cigarettes. One of the studies reveals that the particulate matter created by burning one mosquito coil is comparable to smoking 75 to 137 cigarettes. This level of exposure is unquestionably harmful to ones health.

The smoke produced by mosquito coils includes compounds that can induce respiratory discomfort, eventually leading to COPD and respiratory failure. These coils include heavy metals such as aluminum, chromium, and tin, as well as insecticides and pesticides such as pyrethrin and aromatic compounds — these pollutants can influence ones general health and cause respiratory, eye, and skin disorders.

Because mosquito coils include heavy metals, insecticides, pesticides, and aromatic chemicals, they are just as dangerous as smoking. Daily burning of mosquito coils, particularly in a closed room at night while sleeping, can cause breathing difficulties, eye burning, redness, and irritation, as well as trigger asthma and cause nausea and vomiting, coughing bouts, wheezing, persistent sneezing, and sore throat.

Several studies have shown that carbon monoxide poisoning may be lethal if the gases dissolve in the blood and travel to the heart. Pregnant women, those with asthma or bronchitis, and youngsters are more likely to develop respiratory disorders after inhaling such intense vapors. Poor indoor air quality contributes to lung infections, lung cancer, and COPD. Rural women, primarily responsible for home duties, incur the largest health burden.

As a result, it is preferable to utilize natural alternatives such as mosquito netting over mattresses, applying neem oil to exposed skin to repel mosquitos, or using Citronella oil as a natural mosquito repellent.

(Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/health-wellness/burning-mosquito-coils-dangerous-smoking-trigger-copd-8603112/)