You may be wondering if scented candles are bad for you. Your curiosity may have started after seeing the ingredients list on your candles or wondering about the effect burning candles have on indoor air quality. These are all valid concerns and we’ll be addressing these and more in our article below.
Why burning candles can be harmful
Candles work when you light the wick, which is the string sticking out of the end of the candle. When you light a candle by holding a flame to the wick, heat melts the wax at the top of the candle. Now in liquid form, the wax seeps into the wick and begins to burn on its own. As the wax burns, the flame on the wick continually melts the candle and draws fresh liquid wax into its fibers. The wax, as fuel for the flame, combusts and becomes smoke, carbon dioxide, water, and a few other substances in the air.
Anything that releases smoke decreases the air quality around it, whether it be a coal plant, a burnt piece of toast or a scented candle. The main culprits behind the health risks in scented candle smoke are particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and lead. Lead is a lesser concern since it was banned by the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) in 2000
As with nearly anything that burns, candles release particulate matter. Candles, because of all of the extra ingredients added to give them their smell, release higher rates of particulate matter. The highest amount of particulate matter is released once the candle is blown out and visible smoke is rising from the wick. Particulate matter is so small that the particles can get deep into your lungs and cause respiratory problems and even contribute to lung cancer.
Additionally, burning scented candles create a wide variety of volatile organic compounds, which are a family of chemicals which include things like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. While some scents can have aroma therapeutic benefits, many of the scents contained within candles are artificial organic compounds and not always healthy. Some scented candles release amounts of volatile organic compounds which are far above safe limits and don’t even need to be lit to release these compounds. On one side of the health effects, volatile organic compounds can cause irritation and allergic reactions. On the more serious side, volatile organic compounds have been linked to damage to vital organs, including the liver, kidney and central nervous system.
The biggest health risk associated with scented candles is the lead contained in the wicks of some brands. Lead was routinely used in the manufacture of candle wicks for decades. It helped the wick stay upright as it burned. Once the risks of lead became apparent, the candle industry voluntarily agreed to remove lead from its wicks. Despite this, studies have found 8 percent of brands still include lead in the manufacturing of their candles. Some scholars contend that no level of lead is safe and even tiny amounts of lead exposure are dangerous.
Particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and lead are especially troublesome for small children and pets. The respiratory and nervous systems of these smaller beings are especially sensitive to external toxins. Lead is especially dangerous, as it is known to cause severe developmental problems in children.
What to burn instead of candles
If you’re concerned with having the best possible indoor air quality environment in your home, burning candles can pose some challenges to this mission. Candles are of particular concern since, as we mentioned earlier, they release potentially toxic volatile organic compounds without even being burnt. Here are some alternatives to consider instead of burning candles to light up your room, shop or environment .
- Sunking pro 200 :
This solar lamp dose not only light up your room 10X than candles, but also comes with a mobile charging function that allows you charge your phone on it. Cost effective. Reliable . Zero health risk . 5 year life span. check product on jumia click here
Have you ever taken a challenging choice that ultimately made you happy because it furthered an important cause. Check out the resources listed below and Get Quotes or join the conversation using the hashtag #Solarpanel,#solarlight, #inverter.
You can also visit our store for more of this kind of product
Hi there! I just want to offer you a huge thumbs up for your great info youve got here on this post. I am coming back to your website for more soon.
order viagra 150mg without prescription – sildenafil 150mg purchase sildenafil online cheap
buy prednisolone 5mg pill – buy neurontin 100mg generic cheap cialis generic
order augmentin 375mg without prescription – order augmentin 1000mg generic brand name cialis
buy bactrim – bactrim online buy order sildenafil 150mg
cephalexin drug – cephalexin online erythromycin 500mg generic
fildena 100mg uk – ivermectin 6mg without prescription stromectol price us
order rhinocort sale – order disulfiram 250mg sale antabuse cheap
order ceftin 500mg generic – order cialis 20mg without prescription purchase tadalafil online
ampicillin over the counter – buy cipro generic tadalafil 20mg over the counter
buy amoxicillin 1000mg – vardenafil pills vardenafil 10mg us
ivermectin 12mg over the counter – buy vardenafil 10mg pill order vardenafil 10mg pill
cheap doxycycline 200mg – order doxycycline pill is cialis generic
paroxetine 10
acyclovir 50 mg
order tadalafil generic – legit canadian pharmacy online modafinil 100mg ca
buy levitra south africa
doxy
augmentin prescription online
clindamycin tablet brand name in india
zoloft 50 mg buy online
order deltasone 40mg online cheap – buy erectile dysfunction medicine buy isotretinoin 20mg without prescription
clindamycin pills price
doxycycline 100mg coupon
stromectol 3 mg tablet price
buy amoxicillin 1000mg for sale – amoxil 1000mg cost sildenafil ca
phenergan cream price
synthroid 50
what’s the best online pharmacy
buying propranolol online