What is really in a candle?
They may seem safe, regular scented candles are a huge source of indoor air pollution and they put off a lot of chemicals that are considered just as dangerous as second-hand smoke. Paraffin is a petroleum waste product and has to be deodorized and chemically bleached before it can be made in to wax.
Most candles are made of paraffin wax, which creates highly toxic benzene and toluene, when burned they can cause damage to the brain, lung and central nervous system, as well as cause developmental difficulties (both are known carcinogens, aka known to cause cancers). In fact, the toxins released from paraffin candles are the same as those found in diesel fuel fumes. I don’t know about you, but I’m not okay with diesel fuel fumes in my home.
Numerous people who have asthma have reported that they can’t even go into a store if the store sells scented candles, even if they aren’t being burned,. They emit so much fragrance that they can trigger asthma attacks and even migraines.
On top of that, many scented candles also have wicks that contain heavy metals like lead, and even a few hours of burning them can create levels of airborne heavy metals that are much higher than the acceptable limits. In the US, candle wicks are supposed to be made of cotton or paper, but studies have found that as much as 30% of candles contain heavy metals in the wicks.
“A candle with a lead-core wick releases five times the amount of lead considered hazardous for children and exceeds EPA pollution standards for outdoor air, says the CPSC, which is why they banned lead wicks in 2003. Exposure to high amounts of lead has been linked to hormone disruption, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and numerous health problems.” (source)
Many candles also contain artificial scents and dyes, which release additional chemicals when burned.
“Other toxic chemicals that may be present in the paraffin mixture and released through burning include: Acetone, Trichlorofluoromethane, Carbon Disulfide, 2-Butanone, Trichloroethane, Trichloroethene, Carbon Tetrachloride, Tetrachloroethene, Chlorobenzene, Ethylbenzene, Styrene, Xylene, Phenol, Cresol, Cyclopentene. Some of the toxins are found in other products such as paint, laquer and varnish removers– that’s potent and powerful stuff!”
“Petro-soot from paraffin candles gives off the same soot as the exhaust of a diesel engine, and is considered just as dangerous as second hand smoke, causing problems from headaches to lung cancer. Paraffin fumes have been found to cause tumors in the kidneys and liver of lab animals.”
When I first realized all the problems with scented (and unscented paraffin based candles) candles, I was really bummed. Like most of you I love all those amazing seasonal scents and those awesome store displays just scream “Buy me I’ll make you forget your house has 4 kids and several furry creatures!”
So in my disappointment I decided to seek out other NON-TOXIC ways to create the cozy scented atmosphere I wanted in my home.
The best option I’ve found are beeswax candles, which are not only safe, but have the added benefit of helping clean indoor air.
Beeswax candles emit negative ions, which help reduce positively charged ions in the air.
Dictionary:
“Positive ions, or cations, are formed by the loss of electrons; negative ions, or anions, are formed by the gain of electrons. An atom that has either lost or gained one or more electrons, so that it has an electrical charge. Ions can be either positively or negatively charged.”
Positive ions are generated by electrical devices, by scented candles, by walking across carpet, and even by heating/cooling systems. They are a fact of life, but they can carry everything from dust to pollen to toxic mold, so it is important to reduce them. Indoor air typically has a higher concentration of positive ions.
This is where negatively charged ions come in. They bind together and have a heavier molecular weight so they are no longer floating around the air.
Beeswax candles are a source of negative ions, and can help reduce indoor air pollution.
Make sure your scents are from high quality essential oils. Essential oils can help promote a healthier home. Just do some research first, DO NOT mix essential oils without consulting a pro or reading up on their history and use. They are a GREAT tool used in natural medicine and need to be used wisely.