Could Your Scented Candles Be Killing You?

I love scented candles. Each candle has a unique scent that, with one breath, can transport you to memories of anything from Christmastime, to that really romantic dinner you had with your special someone. We light scented candles for ambiance; we light them to make our house smell like cookies, and we light them to hide from our dinner guests the fact that our dog just did an oopsie on the carpet. Regardless of why we light them and why we love them, the fact is that millions of homes across America contain scented candles. Is this love of candles putting our loved ones in danger?

Scented candles are made from scented oils mixed with wax. Most of these scented candles use paraffin wax because it is a relatively cheap ingredient. Unfortunately, paraffin wax is derived from a petroleum by-product. You may be asking why this is a big deal. I mean, Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is made from petroleum, lip balm is made from petroleum, even crayons are made from petroleum (paraffin). However, just because something is used extensively does not mean that it is safe.

Petroleum is made from crude-oil. Yes Virginia, that would be the same oil used to make your gasoline. Other things we make from petroleum include solvents, paints, lubricants, automotive oils, and asphalt. Something like Vaseline, which we put on our skin, is troubling enough; but let's consider the impact of actually burning this in your home and thereby releasing toxins into the air that your entire family breathes.

Burning petroleum in your home releases toxins such as benzene, styrene, and formaldehyde. These scented candles also cause accumulations of black soot in your home. Black soot accumulates any time there is an incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels. The EPA has even released a report citing petroleum based scented candles as an indoor pollutant and has advised caution when utilizing these candles. As if that wasn't bad enough, many of these candles also use metallic wicks containing lead levels much higher than is approved by the EPA. When all is said and done, burning a traditional petroleum based scented candle is a health hazard emitting dangerous levels of toxic fumes and chemicals, even lead.

When I first learned this information, I was understandably upset. Not only because I had already exposed my home and my children to these pollutants, but because I loved scented candles and feared I would never be able to enjoy them again. Thankfully, I found that there are alternatives available. Both soy wax and beeswax scented candles are beautiful and non-toxic. Unfortunately, as I researched buying them over the internet, I found that beeswax candles are rather expensive. Soy wax candles, on the other hand, are clean burning, non toxic, and relatively inexpensive. According to www.therichlyscentedcandle.com, soy candles burn over 50% longer than paraffin candles and produce 90% less soot. I'd say that is well worth any additional costs.

The next time you consider whether to buy that $5.99 apple scented candle from your local craft store, you should also factor in the impact it may have on your home and your family. It may smell nice now, but the added side-effects just plain stink.