Ah, the power of a really great scented candle. It can transform your home and make it smell like a field full of flowers, a spa, or a Christmas tree. Around the holiday season, candles are also popular gifts, used for decorations, in ceremonies, and to generally make your home feel bright and cozy. Most candles are made from paraffin wax, but can also be made of beeswax, soy wax, or even palm wax. But unfortunately for candle lovers everywhere, there’s some debate about whether burning candles are bad for your health. We chatted with experts—here’s what you should know.
Are candles bad for you?
Experts say scented candles do produce various vapors and chemicals that can be unsafe to inhale at high doses, but there’s good news: Research shows that with typical use of candle burning, there isn’t much harm being done. In a 2014 study, researchers burned a scented paraffin candle in rooms of various sizes and used special instruments to measure what was being released into the air, including chemicals like benzene, which is a compound found in the air resulting from burning coal and oil emissions, toluene, a clear flammable liquid found in petroleum, and formaldehyde. The highest measured levels were after four hours of continuous candle burning. The study concluded that for the most part, scented candles do not pose known health risks to consumers. However, health risks are higher if you have asthma, says Cleveland Clinic pulmonologist Dr. Katina Nicolacakis, MD. Chemicals from candles can be allergy and asthma triggers. People with these conditions have inflamed airways making them more sensitive to chemical irritation. Some allergic reactions may include a runny nose, watery itchy eyes, stuffy nose, tightness in your chest, or even hives and skin rashes. Candle fragrance can be an asthma trigger, but paraffin wax may also cause some breathing issues. “The main issue is that scented candles don’t burn hot enough to destroy the dangerous molecules they spit out, and they’re often lit in unventilated areas. That combination raises the risk of an asthma attack,” says Dr. Nicolacakis.
Are candle wicks made of lead?
The short answer: They used to contain lead, but in the United States, they no longer do. In 2003, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted to ban the sale and manufacture of candles with lead wicks. They also banned the import of lead-containing candles from other countries. Most candle manufacturers stopped using lead in their candles in the 1970s. However, metal core wicks are sometimes used in container candles and votives to keep the wick upright when the candle is burning. Metal core wicks are made with zinc or tin, and have been proven to be safe.
Can scented candles cause headaches?
While candle fragrances are pleasing to most noses, they can be a migraine or headache trigger. Experts say migraine patients are sensitive to smell and it triggers or worsens a headache or migraine. Scented candles can cause that for some, but the problem is more rooted in the fragrance (and not the candle itself) for others.
Is candle smoke or the soot toxic?
Breathing too much of any type of smoke can potentially damage your health. Burning candles made of paraffin releases soot. Dr. Liz Lehman, MD, Founder and CEO of Aluminate Life, says the soot may not be harmful. “Candle soot is composed primarily of elemental carbon particles, and is similar to the soot given off by kitchen toasters and cooking oils. These everyday household sources of soot are not considered a health concern, and are chemically different from the soot formed by the burning of diesel fuel, coal, and gasoline.” She says that when plant-based candles are burned, they produce very little to no soot, making them healthier for your family and even your pets. Although the smoke is cleaner, there are ways to minimize your intake when dealing with candles. The National Candle Association offers this advice for handling candles:
Trim the wick to ¼ inch before every use to promote proper flame heightPlace the candle away from drafty areasKeep the wax pool free of debrisAvoid synthetic fragrance additives and dyes used in candles
Which candles are best for your health?
If triggering your asthma, migraines, or even throwing your sinuses into a tailspin is a concern, there are ways to still burn candles. Dr. Lehman says you should only purchase candles that are manufactured in the U.S. or Europe. “Choose candles made from soy, coconut or other plant-based wax. Beeswax is a natural wax and if sustainably harvested will not harm bees or their hive,” says Dr. Lehman. If fragrance is the issue, look for unscented, natural wax candles, but if you must have that scent, choose candles with natural essential oils instead of fragrance chemical oils. She also suggests choosing wicks made of braided paper, cotton, hemp, or wood. Ultimately, ‘tis the season to burn those holiday scented candles, and there’s nothing harmful about burning them unless you are allergic. If you are concerned about any health risks, it’s best to talk with your doctor. Up Next, if your allergies start acting up, check out the best way to use nasal sprays.
Sources
Katina Nicolacakis, MD, a pulmonologist at Cleveland ClinicLiz Lehman, MD, a board-certified and licensed anesthesiologist based in Baltimore, MarylandThe National Candle AssociationNational Center for Biotechnology Information Study: “Human health risk evaluation of selected VOC, SVOC and particulate emissions from scented candles”
