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BERNICE FROM MICHIGAN ASKS:
Do candles pollute the air in my home? Is it possible to find a healthy alternative?
MOM DETECTIVE ANSWERS:
Bernice, it’s tempting “freshen” the air in your home with the flickering light of a scented candle. But here’s the lowdown: many candles come with unwanted chemicals. While fragrance is often the major source of these chemicals, additional chemicals can be found in the wick, and even in the candle base.
EPA says most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors, so prioritizing indoor air quality is smart. Indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air, so we should be especially cautious with what we burn in our homes.
The good news is that you can skip the harmful indoor pollution and have your scent too.
What to avoid in candles
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the ingredients and components found in candles that can contaminate the air you breathe:
- Fragrance
- Phthalates
- Benzene
- Formaldehyde
- Wicks
- Paraffin
Fragrance is a sneaky back door chemical in products like candles. Due to trade secret rules, the specific ingredients of any given fragrance formula are not required to be listed on a label. When I see “fragrance” on a label, I read, “government-protected trade secret.” It’s possible for hundreds of unlabeled and unknown chemicals to be included in any given fragrance. Even if I have no idea what a scent specifically contains, I do know that many chemicals typically used in fragrance pose human and environmental concerns. For example, phthalates commonly found in fragrance are reproductive and developmental toxins. There are numerous other chemicals of concern in fragrance, including known carcinogens like benzene and formaldehyde. Burning candles release these chemicals into the air.
Other possible health impacts from candles include respiratory irritation, nausea, and headache. Burning anything, including candles, can also trigger breathing issues, like asthma. As if that’s not scary enough, many conventional candles are made from paraffin wax, a petroleum-derived product that releases soot into your home when burned.
Wicks can also be a cause of concern. The safest versions are made from natural or organic materials derived without glues, dyes, or pesticides. Candles made before lead wicks were phased out about 20 years ago should be thrown out.
Safer alternatives
It’s important to know whether a candle is made from paraffin, soy, or beeswax. A natural candle base is a cleaner burning option.
It can be difficult to tell from a label exactly what’s in your candle. But with some extra sleuthing, you can find candles made without harmful ingredients.
- Seek out candles made from natural materials like beeswax or non-GMO soy that also have a natural wick.
- Avoid synthetic fragrances entirely. If a candle label lists “fragrance” as an ingredient, there’s no way to know what chemicals might be lurking. Opt for fragrance-free, or find a natural candle scented with essential oils. Transparent companies choose to voluntarily list their fragrance ingredients on labels, and show independent, third-party, rigorous certifications on the label.
- Don’t forget to follow the burn guidelines. Trim the wick before using and don’t exceed the maximum burn time.
- If you are still worried about indoor air quality, open a window while burning.
By following a few healthy guidelines, you can find a candle that safely illuminates your home.
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