There was a time when candles were the only source of light. They were used long before electricity. They are still used especially when a storm cuts electricity.

Today we have candles made of all kinds of substances and even those that contain batteries. Those are probably the safest.  Many candle selections are scented. Preferrably with the high quality essential oils.

Many candles were made from paraffin wax. Many people make their own candles from scratch. Other ingredients were added such as, tallow, stearin, spermaceti (from the sperm whale) and beeswax. The stearin raises the melting point and will prevent the candles from burning too fast. Church candles are often pure stearin. Today you can buy paraffin in the grocery store or hobby shop. Often mixed with stearin acid to raise the melting point of the paraffin and therefore providing a stronger and slower-burning candle.

Wicks are also readily available. They are commonly made of plaited cotton yarn that has been mordanted (pickled in a substance that inhibits smoking). The treatment is necessary because normal cotton would burn too fast and smoke. The idea is to make the wick burn in such a way that it tends to lean out of the flame.

But Are Candles Bad For You?   

Pulmonologist Renee Dixon, MD states that candles can contribute to poor indoor air quality, but what the medical and scientific community is split on is whether or not the emissions they generate, tiny as they are, can meaningfully impact your health.

Dr. Dixon says that she isn’t concerned for people who choose to light them up in a well-ventilated space.

What Happens When You Burn a Candle?

You may have heard of volatile organic compounds or VOCs. As a candle burns, it releases hydrocarbons, chemical compounds consisting of hydrogen and carbon into the air. In particlular, burning candles releases trace quatities of toluene and benzene.

Toluene is commonly used in paint thinners and adhesives. Within proper ventilation, toluene exposure can irritate your eyes, nose, throat and skin. It can also cause headaches, dizziness, confusion and anxiety.

Benzene is a gas emitted by forest fires, volcanos, and burning coal or oil. Benzene is primarily used in industrial and pharmaceuticals settings, but the vast majority (90 %) of all benzene exposure occurs as a consequence of smoking. Benzene is a carcinogenic, having been found to increase the risk of leukemia and other blood cancers.

 

WHO IS AT RISK?

While you wouldn’t want to breathe in significant quantities of either toluene, benzene or any other hydrocarbons, the small amount of petroleum is released and seems to generate greater emissions than other waxes.

If listed, check the paraffin content of the candle you’re considering buying. Whenever you can, opt for beeswax, soy or other plant-based waxes instead. Candles made from paraffin tend to be cheaper. Not necessarily quality.

While they may be pretty to look at, Dr. Dixon also suggests skipping candles that have been dyed.

Dr. Dixon says that “The dye used to color the candles has benzidine in it. Which is also linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer.”

ARE SCENTED CANDLES TOXIC?

While relaxing in a bath tub, with many candles around the tub, some people can develop a headache (or a runny nose) just inhaling the scent.

Like all candles, they release VOCs, but they do so in quantities that shouldn’t pose a health risk. For the safest possible aromatherpeutic adventure, select high-quality candles that don’t use dye or paraffin.

Regardless of toxicity, many people have allergic reactions to scented candles. for some, scented candles can even trigger asthma attacks.

HOW SAFE IS THE WICK?

Many countries have taken action to prevent the use of lead and metal-cored candle wicks, which can produce dangerous emissions and cause lead poisoning.

American manufacturers stopped using lead in their candle wicks back in the 1970’s, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) didn’t ban candles with lead-core wicks until 2003.

SAFETY GUIDELINES

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) documented that firefighters respond to an estimated 5,910 structure fires in the U.S. that candles cause every year. the result: an average of 74 deaths, 558 injuries, and $257 million in property damage.

The following safety tips will help keep you and your family safe:

• Trim the wick to 1/4 inch.
• use a wick dipper to keep the wax pool clear of debris at all times.
• Burn your candle in a well-ventilated room, far removed from anything that could catch fire.
• Never burn a candle for more than four hours.
• Never leave a candle unattended, and don’t burn it if you may fall asleep.
• Instead of blowing a candle out or using a snuffer, use a wick dipper to gently submerge the wick in the wax pool. This method dosn’t generate any smoke or wax splatter.
• Don’t attempt to touch or reposition your candle until it’s had time to cool.

ALTERNATIVES TO CANDLES

• Ghee and oil lamps, like diyas (which are used in multiple religions across the Indian subcontinent), are smoke-free and less toxic than candles or incense.
• Flameless candles, while certainly not comparable to the real thing, don’t pose a fire risk.
• If you buy scented candles for the smell, wax melts might be a suitable substitute. Dr. Dixon says the low temperatures used in wax melting result in fewer combustion byproducts.
• Best of all are those that run on batteries.

ALTERNATIVES

If you really like the smell of a scented candle lingering in the air, consider a diffuser and essential oils. Most diffusers work by filling the basin or decorative container (purchased through the essential oil manufacturer) with water. Place a few drops of your favorite oils into the water, plug the diffuser in and turn it on. Once warm the oils will admit the fragrance.

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that are frequently used for relaxatoin, stress relief and mood enhancement. Obtained through pressing or distilling a plant, each essential oil retains the natural smell by using a unique composition of chemicals, such as alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ethers, keytones, phenols and terpenes. The composition of an essential oil may vary from plant to plant, and within the same species of plants. Essential oils are used in a variety of ways, such as rubbing peppermint oil on the temples for a headaches, adding tea tree oil to shampoo or inhaling through a diffuser or direcly from the bottle. The oils can be used individually or combined.

Essential oils are not regulated in the United States. This means there is no oversight of these products to ensure quality and we do not know exactly what is in each bottle, the concentration or contaminants. Use oils made by companies that  grow and produce their own oils. Such as DoTerra. There are other independent, high quality essential oil companies. Be aware of their processes.

If the person using essential oils has a condition such as Asthma and COPD, requires careful consideration. Preferrably with a health care professional. There are claims that essential oils reduce inflammation thus reducing systems such as wheezing, congestion and difficulty breathing. However, these studies have focused on individuals without an underlying respiratory chronic diseasess, like asthma and COPD. Very little evidence exists to support the use of essential oils for anti-inflammatory effects in humans.

Possible essential oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender are believed to have properties that may help with respiratory issues. For example, eucalyptus oil is thought to have decongestant properties that might aid in easing nasal congestion. This oil may be too strong for those who are sensitive to them.

Using a lot of essential oils, either by inhalation or through a diffuser, can trigger asthma symptoms in sensitive individuals.  They may act as irritants and lead to bronchoconstriction (tighening of the smooth muscls around the airways).  Coughing, or shortness of breath can occur. Essential oils with menthol may provide the false perception that airways are opening, which could lead to masking the signs of a respiratory emergency.

Learn more from the Clean Air and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)s, https://lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air/indoor-air-pollutants/volatile-organic-compounds.

Also American Lung Association.