WEDNESDAY, Aug. 19, 2009 (Health.com) — A soak in a steamy tub, surrounded by candles, sure seems like a great way to unwind. But new research suggests that burning certain kinds of candles may generate indoor air pollutants.
Researchers at South Carolina State University studied petroleum-based and vegetable-source candles to determine their emissions. They let candles from different manufacturers burn for up to six hours in a small box (8” x 8” x 26”), and then collected and analyzed substances released into the air.
They found that paraffin-based candles—the most popular kind—emitted toxic chemicals like toluene and benzene. Soybean candles did not, according to the study, which is scheduled to be presented this week at the American Chemical Society meeting in Washington, D.C. Candles made of beeswax or soybean tend to make mention of that ingredient on their label; paraffin candles may not.
The researchers say that lighting a paraffin candle once in a while is unlikely to pose a health threat. However, frequently lighting many candles in an unventilated space could lead to problems, and may aggravate asthma, cause allergy-like symptoms, or irritate the respiratory tract.
However, whether some candles are safer than others is still debatable, according to one expert. “I think there’s some controversy out there as to which candles are better than others,” says George Thurston, PhD, an associate professor of environmental medicine at the New York University School of Medicine.
Next page: Ventilation is important, regardless of candle type
Comments (7)
The same issue was highlighted to me sometime ago by a friend who actually said that lighting candles can actually bring more harms than good but I wasn’t convinced. To be frank, I’m currently onto aromatheraphy using soy candles and it does bring me a lot of benefit to help me to relieve stress and to relax after stressful day at work. Although I did not go into details regarding the content, as I never thought of checking it out as well, do you think that this may be harmful in the long term?
Soy Candles really solve the problems that petroleum candles seem to be plagued with. At ScentsandSprays.com, you can get 100% Soy Candles, Buy 1 Get 1 Half off. Don’t miss out on the healing benefits of candles (relaxation, etc.)… Just be careful with the quality that you burn.
Thought it was interesting!
new blog
Try clean burning soy candles. They burn clean so they won’t pollute the air.
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Please stop with this ridiculous pop science. We are creating a country of pathetic hypochondriacs.