Candles are a pretty common thing to find around the home. There are so many on the market now days, you could probably find any scent you want! It’s pretty crazy! I must say I have fun going around Bath and Body Works and smelling all the candles. Let’s face it, I have fun sniffing candles in Walmart. Sometimes I walk down that aisle just so I can smell them, even when I have no intention of purchasing any. But have you ever lit one and had that black smoke erupt in your face? Or turned around only to find smoke floating up to the ceiling, instead of seeing the subtle flicker of the light? Have you ever wondered why this happens? The reason this happens is because of the production process. Today, we will be talking about whether or not your candles are toxic and what makes them so.
The majority of the candles that are on the market today are made from paraffin wax. Paraffin wax is the by-product of the petroleum oil purification process. This wax is then treated, bleached and processed into a solid. This wax is used to make candles, polishes, cosmetics, wax paper, and electrical insulators, along with other commercial items.
Studies have shown that this petroleum by-product can release some of the same carcinogens into the atmosphere as a car produces when gasoline is burned. When a paraffin candle is burned, it produces toxic petrol-carbon soot, which can blacken walls, furniture, ceilings, and can contaminate the ductwork in your home. The soot then goes into the air in your home, which can be hazardous to your health. Further studies have shown that even unscented, non-pigmented paraffin can still release pollutants into the air. Pollutants such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, and naphthalene. All of which are extremely harmful for your body (For more information on these ingredients Click Here). While it may take years of breathing in these toxic fumes for some of the more serious symptoms to materialize, they can cause some immediate effects. Things like skin irritation, respiratory tract issues, lung cancer, asthma, and allergic reactions. Another issue is that some of these candles have metal-core wicks which are typically made out of zinc or tin. These are most often found in votives or container candles and are used to keep the wick upright while the wax is cooling during the manufacturing process. This only adds to the toxic fumes that are omitted into the environment.
I can personally attest to the fact that it can blacken your ceilings. Before I knew that certain candles can be dangerous, I decided to burn a candle in my bathroom. I burned it for several hours a day and didn’t think anything of it until I went to blow it out one day. I noticed that small plumes of smoke were rising to the ceiling and saw that the whole ceiling was completely stained black. My husband and I spent about an hour trying to clean it off and we still couldn’t get everything. I also know that these types of candle can cause some issues for people. My mom isn’t able to burn any candles in her house due to some pretty awful side effects. Her throat closes up, causing her to not be able to breath very well and her eyes start water a bit. Part of this is because of the fact that she is allergic to strong synthetic fragrances. However, the other part is due to the toxins that these candles omit into the environment. While these instances may not be exactly life threatening (except for the part where my mom can’t breathe), it’s still pretty scary to know that something so small can be poisoning us.
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