| The Danger of Candles |
Candle sales in general have skyrocketed in recent years.
According to the National Candle Association in Washington, D.C., there has been an increase from $500
million in 1995 to $2.3 billion in 1999, the last year any studies are available. Part of the candle craze may
be due to new interest in aromatherapy, a type of alternative medicine that uses odors to relax or treat
illness.
Ironically, the very candles sometimes used for aromatherapy can cause serious health problems.
"Some candle makers use metal-core wicks because cotton wicks are often limp and fall over into the wax,
extinguishing the flame," explains Jerome O. Nriagu, Ph.D.,a professor of environmental chemistry at the
University of Michigan in Ann Arbor who has studied scented candles.
Lead poisoning can lead to behavior changes and damage internal organs, especially the kidneys. Nriagu
measured the lead released from 14 brands of candles. He found that burning four metal-wick candles for
two hours resulted in airborne lead concentrations that were dangerous to human health. People with
weak immune systems, including children and the elderly, are particularly at risk. "Besides breathing lead
fumes, children can be exposed to even more lead that is deposited on the floor, furniture, and walls
because they often put their hands in their mouths," says Nriagu.
There is also a phenomenon known as "black soot deposition" after burning candles. A dark film appears
around electrical outlets, the refrigerator, the air conditioning vents and on plastic materials such as
computer screens. Scientific testing has revealed that burning aromatic candles can release significant
quantities of soot and volatile organic compounds. In fact, candles have been implicated in a number of
cases of black soot deposition in homes and student dormitories across the country.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has been receiving an increasing number of reports
about black soot deposition. Dan Cautley, an NAHB Research Center engineer, says a prime suspect is
the increased use of candles and other indoor combustible materials including incense, potpourri and oil
lamps. "Since seven out of 10 homes burn candles on a regular basis, according to a study done by Smith
and Kline, this issue is extremely far-reaching and has the potential for affecting millions of homes," states
an NAHB bulletin.
According to Ken Giles, spokesman for the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), any
product that is combusted indoors can create indoor air quality problems--including wood-burning
stoves, fireplaces, and natural gas or kerosene appliances not properly vented. Only recently have
candles also become a concern. "We hear that many lower-quality candles being manufactured now
produce more soot than 20 years ago," says Cautley. This has to do with different types of waxes,
aromatic oils and wick types. If the wick doesn't burn at the same rate the wax disappears, the wick will get
longer and typically, the candle will produce more soot. Both domestic and imported candles pose
problems. Some, but not all, of the candles implicated are scented. Other factors to pay attention to
include poor candle design and use of improper materials.
Candle makers aren't required to list ingredients, making it more difficult for consumers to know which
candles are safe.
Jeffrey Schiller, founder of the International Aromatherapy and Herb Association, says that candles aren't
the best way to put aromas in the air.
Whenever we burn candles, there is always an element of risk because fire is an unstable element
that we cannot control if it gets too big. The major concern when burning candles is to keep them away
from anything flammable in the area. If you light a candle, it is best not to leave it unattended while it is
burning even if there is no one else in the room to touch it or move it. Do not place burning candles near
an open window where a draft or breeze might topple it onto something flammable.
Another risk when burning candles is the melted hot wax that can burn skin. Pillar candles and other
taller candles usually have a small pool of melted wax at the base of the burning wick. Other smaller
candles like tea lights may even have liquefied because of the heat. The melted wax is very hot and may
burn when it comes in contact with our skin. Exercise caution and care when moving candles because the
liquid wax might scald you. Burning candles in containers might sound like a good idea, but they also pose
a threat when you hold the container. Some smaller containers grow hot when the candle has been lit
inside of them for a long time.
Candle users often forget to properly exterminate the flame before they leave the home or go to bed at
night. As the candle burns, it can possibly melt through its container as well as the surface where it is
placed.
Even when a consumer decides they want to burn candles, there are other facts that must be taken
into consideration. One major concern should be candles made of paraffin.
In 2001 the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) concluded that a burning paraffin candle emits
harmful amounts of toxins in the air that are considered above the excess cancer risk.
With Crystal Scentsations, The Safe and Green Candle Alternative, you simply don't get
soot, nor the awful smelling black smoke when extinguishing the candle.Unlike paraffin
wax, our crystals do not emit dangerous, headache-inducing toxins and carcinogens,
such as lead, acetone, benzene and mercury, when burned. No dangers of fire, harmful
side effects, or excessive cost.
Doesn't it make "scents" to switch to Crystal Scentsations?
According to the National Candle Association in Washington, D.C., there has been an increase from $500
million in 1995 to $2.3 billion in 1999, the last year any studies are available. Part of the candle craze may
be due to new interest in aromatherapy, a type of alternative medicine that uses odors to relax or treat
illness.
Ironically, the very candles sometimes used for aromatherapy can cause serious health problems.
"Some candle makers use metal-core wicks because cotton wicks are often limp and fall over into the wax,
extinguishing the flame," explains Jerome O. Nriagu, Ph.D.,a professor of environmental chemistry at the
University of Michigan in Ann Arbor who has studied scented candles.
Lead poisoning can lead to behavior changes and damage internal organs, especially the kidneys. Nriagu
measured the lead released from 14 brands of candles. He found that burning four metal-wick candles for
two hours resulted in airborne lead concentrations that were dangerous to human health. People with
weak immune systems, including children and the elderly, are particularly at risk. "Besides breathing lead
fumes, children can be exposed to even more lead that is deposited on the floor, furniture, and walls
because they often put their hands in their mouths," says Nriagu.
There is also a phenomenon known as "black soot deposition" after burning candles. A dark film appears
around electrical outlets, the refrigerator, the air conditioning vents and on plastic materials such as
computer screens. Scientific testing has revealed that burning aromatic candles can release significant
quantities of soot and volatile organic compounds. In fact, candles have been implicated in a number of
cases of black soot deposition in homes and student dormitories across the country.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has been receiving an increasing number of reports
about black soot deposition. Dan Cautley, an NAHB Research Center engineer, says a prime suspect is
the increased use of candles and other indoor combustible materials including incense, potpourri and oil
lamps. "Since seven out of 10 homes burn candles on a regular basis, according to a study done by Smith
and Kline, this issue is extremely far-reaching and has the potential for affecting millions of homes," states
an NAHB bulletin.
According to Ken Giles, spokesman for the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), any
product that is combusted indoors can create indoor air quality problems--including wood-burning
stoves, fireplaces, and natural gas or kerosene appliances not properly vented. Only recently have
candles also become a concern. "We hear that many lower-quality candles being manufactured now
produce more soot than 20 years ago," says Cautley. This has to do with different types of waxes,
aromatic oils and wick types. If the wick doesn't burn at the same rate the wax disappears, the wick will get
longer and typically, the candle will produce more soot. Both domestic and imported candles pose
problems. Some, but not all, of the candles implicated are scented. Other factors to pay attention to
include poor candle design and use of improper materials.
Candle makers aren't required to list ingredients, making it more difficult for consumers to know which
candles are safe.
Jeffrey Schiller, founder of the International Aromatherapy and Herb Association, says that candles aren't
the best way to put aromas in the air.
Whenever we burn candles, there is always an element of risk because fire is an unstable element
that we cannot control if it gets too big. The major concern when burning candles is to keep them away
from anything flammable in the area. If you light a candle, it is best not to leave it unattended while it is
burning even if there is no one else in the room to touch it or move it. Do not place burning candles near
an open window where a draft or breeze might topple it onto something flammable.
Another risk when burning candles is the melted hot wax that can burn skin. Pillar candles and other
taller candles usually have a small pool of melted wax at the base of the burning wick. Other smaller
candles like tea lights may even have liquefied because of the heat. The melted wax is very hot and may
burn when it comes in contact with our skin. Exercise caution and care when moving candles because the
liquid wax might scald you. Burning candles in containers might sound like a good idea, but they also pose
a threat when you hold the container. Some smaller containers grow hot when the candle has been lit
inside of them for a long time.
Candle users often forget to properly exterminate the flame before they leave the home or go to bed at
night. As the candle burns, it can possibly melt through its container as well as the surface where it is
placed.
Even when a consumer decides they want to burn candles, there are other facts that must be taken
into consideration. One major concern should be candles made of paraffin.
- Paraffin is a by-product of the petroleum refinery industry, leftover residue of refined petroleum.
- Soot given off from burning paraffin candles is the same as burning diesel fuel or fumes from a
diesel engine. - Soot particles travel deep into the lungs. Breathing soot is not recommended at all!
- Tests show that paraffin candles can produce a variety of harmful substances, including benzene &
toluene, known carcinogens. - Testing by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has found over 20 dangerous compounds in
SIGNIFICANT quantities including acetone, benzene, toluene and lead. - The soot from these materials can contain carcinogens, neurotoxins and reproductive toxins.
- The American Lung Association says, "Burning paraffin candles can emit small amounts of toxins
into the air." - Paraffin is made from leftover residue of the final petroleum refining process. Paraffin candles gives
off the same soot and toxins as the exhaust of a diesel engine, and is considered just as dangerous
as second hand smoke, causing problems, from headaches to lung cancer. Paraffin fumes have
been found to cause tumors in the kidneys and liver of lab animals. - According to California's safe drinking water and toxic enforcement act of 1986, there are eleven
toxins in paraffin candle wax--substances found in paint, lacquer and varnish removers.
In 2001 the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) concluded that a burning paraffin candle emits
harmful amounts of toxins in the air that are considered above the excess cancer risk.
With Crystal Scentsations, The Safe and Green Candle Alternative, you simply don't get
soot, nor the awful smelling black smoke when extinguishing the candle.Unlike paraffin
wax, our crystals do not emit dangerous, headache-inducing toxins and carcinogens,
such as lead, acetone, benzene and mercury, when burned. No dangers of fire, harmful
side effects, or excessive cost.
Doesn't it make "scents" to switch to Crystal Scentsations?
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| Crystal Scentsations "The Safe and Green Candle Alternative" |