Another week, another health scare; this time around we have been inundated with reports that scented candles - as luxurious as they may be - might be detrimental to our health. As I stare at my pretty array of candles, all stacked neatly upon my mantle place, I can't help but think it all might be a little far fetched, can they really be all that dangerous?
Of course there is the obvious naked flame element - a danger should it fall into the wrong hands, or hazardous if knocked over, but as most of us will be responsible candle connoisseurs this is not what the reports are highlighting. Rather it turns out that any naked flame - candle or not - releases a minute level of Carbon Monoxide. I must stress that it is not enough to kill you, nor has it been proven to cause any lasting damage but it is worth noting. Or maybe we should be worried about Paraffin based candles; when such candle is lit, it releases carcinogens (any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that is an agent directly involved in causing cancer) which may be enough to snuff out the priciest and most heavenly scented candle.
Before you hastily disregard your bath-time mood lighting here are a few ways you can enjoy the additional ambiance from a scented candle, all without compromising your health. When burning a candle ensure that the room is well ventilated, that way you will inhale as little toxins as possible - just do not place the candle in the direct path of a breeze or near anything flammable. It also may be time to pay attention to what your candle is composed of and skip Paraffin based purchases, in their place seek Soya based candle bases - they burn far cleaner (goodbye carcinogens) and are kinder on your lungs in more ways than one.
If the above news has completely shaken you and you vow to never purchase another candle again you could go down the natural route and burn white sage and other herbs? Or stock up on luxurious reed diffusers.
If the above news has completely shaken you and you vow to never purchase another candle again you could go down the natural route and burn white sage and other herbs? Or stock up on luxurious reed diffusers.
Now go forth and scent your home.
Oh my god I hadn't heard this before. I love a good scented candle, and there are so many toxins and carcinogens that we consume in various ways every day that I'm probably going to keep using candles! But I'll definitely think about having a window open too
ReplyDeleteSteph - http://nourishmeclean.blogspot.com
I heard about this, but like you say.. another week, another health scare. I love my scented candles too much to give them up.
ReplyDeleteTiffany Tales – A British Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
This was such an interesting post - I hadn't heard about it before! I can't give up my Jo Malone!
ReplyDeleteJess | www.0ldtricks.com x
I seen the title of this post and my heart literally dropped! I'm such a big scented candle fan, I don't think I could ever give them up. But I think I'll be checking what they are made of from now on!
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I think it's great that you've brought awareness to this. I was always aware of the potential harms of different types of wax which is why these days, I opt for a soy wax candle - but whenever I burn a candle made of a parrafin mix wax, I try not to burn it for long (like one or two hours every 4 months of something! Which explains why i have a box full of candles. Can't get through them) xxx
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering about scented candles for a while, and whether they were bad for your health or not. Obviously, any flame is no good when you stay around it, and I think the worst about candles is when you snuff them out - that smoke must be so bad to inhale! I'm going to look into soya candles more then, and I've seen you posting on Instagram about sage, that might be a good thing to try too!
ReplyDeleteJulia x
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Thanks for drawing attention to the carcinogens in candles, i never really thought about the effects of burning them before!
ReplyDeleteAbigail Alice x | Check out my Carli Bybel Giveaway!
Wow! Never thought of this before. I light a candle every morning before starting the day, but I will make sure the windows are always open!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.myhappynook.com
My mother would say they were bad for you for whatever mixture they emit when burnt, I'm no real fan of candles anyway due to the flickering light triggering migraines. It's always best to be aware so you can check whats in your candles. :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely something that more people need to be aware of! Most candles on the market are very harmful to our health. Thanks for doing a post about this.
ReplyDeletexo Marie
www.mariestateofmind.com
I never heard about this! So glad you wrote this!
ReplyDeleteLove,
elisabethmae.com
Most candles on the market are very harmful to our health. Thanks for doing a post about this.
ReplyDeleteI never heard about this! So glad you wrote this! great job
ReplyDeleteWow! Never thought of this before. I light a candle every morning before starting the day,
ReplyDeletegreat post. i love it
ReplyDeleteI light a candle, i love them
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll e stopped using scented candles. I barely light them anyway so I'm not worried!
ReplyDeleteLaura x
LookAtMyClothes
Sigh.. it seems everyday there's something new to worry about. Thank you for sharing! I have so many candle stop burn through, but will most likely be only purchasing soy candles from now on.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Serein
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Oh wow! Interesting. I won't give up my candles but it's something to thing about…
ReplyDeleteMel | www.thegossipdarling.com
Is it bad I don't care if they are killing me? hell the amount of junk food I consume Im pretty sure that'll kill me first, plus all the processed meat, alcohol, lack of exercise. pretty much we are all doomed, and I plan on having a lovely smelling home. lol
ReplyDeletehttp://www.makeerinover.co.uk
Interesting! I never really thought about any risks that candles could have! But I always 100000000000% make sure to put my candles on a steady surface and to make sure no windows / fans / aircons are in sight or open x
ReplyDeleteKatina | www.katinalindaa.com
I only burn candles when my kids are in bed , or when I am taking a bath, as I don't want them to breathe in anything cancerous. Most of my candles are natural though. I try to avoid paraffin blends.
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