A glowing candle placed as the centerpiece of a table or above the hearth can make the holiday season more special. Scented cedar candles can also add a seasonal scent such as cinnamon or spice to the space. However, many candles can have unintended side effects that impact individual health and the environment.
There are many options for candles, including sizes, colors, scents, and fragrances. While value-conscious buyers may choose to buy the cheapest candles made from paraffin wax, it is not always an indicator of its true value.
When Buying Candles, The First Thing You Should Consider Is The Type Of Wax That Was Used.
Cheaper candles burn slower and produce less light than comparable but more expensive candles like beeswax. Also, cheaper candles can release more toxic substances into the air in the room, which could affect the comfort and well-being of the occupants, particularly those suffering from asthma or other respiratory conditions.
Candle emissions can increase your exposure to benzene and toluene as well as other potentially cancer-causing volatile and semivolatile organic compounds.
Soot from candle flames can also be harmful. Soot particles can penetrate the lungs. People with asthma, heart disease, or lung disease are especially vulnerable.
Consumer warnings about candle emissions and potential health effects are absent. This leaves it up to the consumer to understand the benefits and risks of various types of candles. Below is a list of the most popular types of candles and their potential health effects.
Paraffin Candles
Paraffin wax is the main ingredient in most candles on today’s market. Paraffin candles are among the most affordable candles on the market. This explains their popularity. Paraffin, a petroleum industry waste product, is a sludge-like substance that burns quickly. Paraffin candles are known to cause cancer by releasing benzene as well as toluene into the atmosphere. Carbon particles from incompletely burned paraffin candles are also released into the atmosphere in the form soot. This is a respiratory irritant and can be found on walls, ceilings and other room furnishings.
Paraffin is a petroleum product that is not renewable and pollutes the environment.
Gel Candles
They are clear, crystal clear, come in many decorative containers and can have embedded objects. Gel candles are very popular. Gel candles are more long-lasting than wax candles and have a rich glow. Gel candles are similar to paraffin candles but they are made of petroleum-based wax and synthetic hydrocarbons, which can release harmful pollutants when they’re burned.
Gel candles use a different kind of fragrance oil to make them than wax candles. Gel candles require fragrance oils that are oil-soluble and specially formulated. This precaution should not be ignored as pockets of fragrance can form in candles which can make them highly flammable. Avoid gel candles with a cloudy appearance. It is best to keep burning gel candles out of reach.
Gel candles can cause fire hazards. Some gel candles have exploded or clambered, causing house fires. There is some debate about the fire safety of gel candles. Some indications are that the container holding them may crack as the gel expands during heating.
Soy Candles
Soy candles are vegetable wax candles made with hydrogenated soy, coconut and palm oils. Paraffin candles last half as long and burn faster than soy candles. Soy wax produces little soot and is easy to burn. Soy wax is cool-burning, so any spilled wax can be easily cleaned up. Soy candles are preferred over gel or paraffin candles from an environmental standpoint.
Soy candles are less bright and warm than other candles, which some people feel detracts from their appeal. Some brands use stearic acid to stiffen their candles, which are derived from animal and vegetable sources.
Because soy wax is affordable and readily available, soy wax candles are very popular. They have a higher price than paraffin, but they are also less expensive than beeswax candles.
Beeswax
The best candles for health are beeswax candles. Beeswax candles are made from bee honeycomb caps and burn clean. They also have a pleasant natural scent that burns. When properly burned, beeswax candles do not drip and emit negative ions that help to clean the air. They are non-allergic and can be used to relieve symptoms such as hay fever, asthma, and allergies. Beeswax, unlike paraffin, is also made from sustainable natural sources.
Beeswax candles can last three times as long as soy or paraffin, despite being more expensive. Pure beeswax candles are golden to amber in color. Ivory-colored beeswax candles have a less natural honey scent. Blended beeswax candles can contain paraffin so be cautious. Instead, look for 100 percent beeswax labels.
The best choice for burning candles is natural, 100% beeswax candles. They are also the most cost-effective, especially when you consider their long life span.
Candelilla Wax
Candelilla wax, a natural vegan alternative to beeswax, is extracted from the candelilla tree in the Southwest US and Northern Mexico. Candelilla wax is denser than beeswax and has a higher melting temperature. It is non-toxic and odorless.
Aromatherapy And Scented Candles
Candles that are scented or aromatherapy can be dangerous. As the wax burns, the fragrance oils make it soften and therefore not burn cleanly. This can release soot which can be carcinogens and neurotoxins, as well as reproductive toxins. The soot from burning scented candles can also cause damage to electronics and homes. Because the oxygen required for a clean flame doesn’t reach the flame, scented candles placed in containers create more soot.
Paraffin wax and synthetic fragrance oils are used in aromatherapy and scented candles. Both the American Lung Association and the Canadian Lung Association warn against prolonged exposure to soot and fragrances for the very young, elderly, and people with respiratory problems.
Diffusers offer a more effective way to add scent to a room. They can also be used in conjunction with candles. For use with a diffuser, purchase unscented candles that are free from petroleum and have wire-free wicks. Aromatherapy can be done safely with diffusers, which are readily available at most grocery stores.
Wick Material
The material used to make cedar candles or any other candle for that matter is another thing you should consider. Cotton wicks burn cleaner than wire wicks. According to Indoor Air Solutions of Tampa Florida, about 30% of wire wicks contain lead.
It is worth spending the time researching the candle you’re considering buying. While a quality candle will cost more, it will last longer and not release any harmful toxins into your family’s air.
