Who doesn't love a good candle? I love seasonal candles the best... pumpkin in the fall, evergreen in the winter, flowers in the spring, clean cotton in the summer... Smells are nostalgic; so many of us are suckers for a scent that brings us back to a certain time or place. Plus, it's nice to have a house that smells good instead of like last night's dinner, the dog, or one of the many (un)pleasant smells that comes from having children.
So what's the problem? ...
Soot that stains your walls and furniture and releases toxins and carcinogens into the air in your home. Most candles are made with paraffin wax which is a by-product of petroleum and releases a petro-carbon soot. That's what leaves black marks on your walls/furniture and also circulates through your air and home duct work. The American Lung Association reports that this soot contains 11 documented toxins including 2 carcinogens; toluene and benzene. yuck.
On top of the petroleum issue, there are also concerns with traditional candle wicks. Many candle companies are using lead core wicks. When heated, they release lead into the air. 100% of lead that is inhaled is released into the blood stream. gross. Even more horrible, chronic low-level lead exposure is related to neuro-psychological and behavioral problems in children.
Fragrance is another issue. Your best bet is to buy candles which are scented with essential oils. Synthetic fragrances are composed of chemicals with an unknown number of possible health risks. Some of the chemicals you are inhaling: acetone, ethanol, toluene, camphor, methylene chloride, benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, formaldehyde, limonene, linalool, g-terpinene, beta-phenethyl, musk amberette, musk xylene and musk keytone.
SO. Other options? Soy and beeswax candles are widely available and comparably priced. Be careful that what you are buying is pure beeswax or soy, since it is legal to advertise them that way even if they are mostly paraffin. Check labels carefully. As far as the wick, you want pure cotton, hemp, or wood. Undyed (or dyed with natural ingredients) and scented with essential oils (only) is the way to go. Natural food stores, environmental stores, and the internet are all good ways to find safe candles. I have found great candles at TJMaxx in the past, you just have to be diligent in your search!
Some webites to get you started:
thanks honey...... I wanted a good reason to clean out my candles!
ReplyDeleteI love the few soy candles I have, but just thought that they were a newer version that I usually find at a craft fair or farmers market. I didn't know that there was a really good reason to switch over to them, but the list of ingredients convinced me! thanks!