Most of us who burn candles assume that they are safe – aside from the obvious danger that you can burn your home down if left unattended. Please be sure that when burning candles that you follow all safety procedures to keep you, your family, and your home safe from being destroyed.
Personally we burn candles in our home for two reasons. One being that we like to be able to set the mood with a certain scent, and make our home smell wonderful. The other reason is because we have smokers in our home (I know, I know we focus on healthy living, yet we have smokers in our home?! Trust me, we’re working on getting this home to be a smoke free home too!)
Now here is where you need to pay attention!
Did you know that most candles are made from the sludge in the bottom of a barrel of oil which is bleached and texturized with a chemical called acrolein?
They're called paraffin candles and burning one puts all the same horrible toxins and carcinogens (cancer causing agents) into the air in your home that burning diesel fuel in your home would.
The National Candle Association estimates that more than 7 million people in the US alone burn candles every year.
But testing by the EPA has confirmed that those candles, and the smoke and soot they give off, contain several dangerous chemicals in significant quantities. These chemicals include known or probable carcinogens, neurotoxins and reproductive toxins.
The American Lung Association also warns that burning paraffin candles can emit toxins (in measurable amounts) into your home's air.
They're called paraffin candles and burning one puts all the same horrible toxins and carcinogens (cancer causing agents) into the air in your home that burning diesel fuel in your home would.
The National Candle Association estimates that more than 7 million people in the US alone burn candles every year.
But testing by the EPA has confirmed that those candles, and the smoke and soot they give off, contain several dangerous chemicals in significant quantities. These chemicals include known or probable carcinogens, neurotoxins and reproductive toxins.
The American Lung Association also warns that burning paraffin candles can emit toxins (in measurable amounts) into your home's air.
It might shock you to learn that after burning just a few paraffin candles in your home, the overall effect on the quality of the air in your home could be worse than the air in major cities like Los Angeles! (Can you say DISGUSTING!?)
Not only is your health affected, but the health of your pets and children as well.
Cathy Flanders who has been at the forefront of addressing health and safety issues involving candles says, "With the current 'candle-craze' and increased candle burning in homes, expectant Moms need to be aware of the fact that the emissions from some candles are toxic, reproductive toxins, neuro-toxins and/or carcinogens. This has been a growing cause for concern for the EPA and children's health agencies."
And it might hit your pocket book soon too. Not only is the price of oil spiralling out of control, but you might have a nasty surprise the next time you go to renew your homeowners insurance.
Not only is your health affected, but the health of your pets and children as well.
Cathy Flanders who has been at the forefront of addressing health and safety issues involving candles says, "With the current 'candle-craze' and increased candle burning in homes, expectant Moms need to be aware of the fact that the emissions from some candles are toxic, reproductive toxins, neuro-toxins and/or carcinogens. This has been a growing cause for concern for the EPA and children's health agencies."
And it might hit your pocket book soon too. Not only is the price of oil spiralling out of control, but you might have a nasty surprise the next time you go to renew your homeowners insurance.
The NIA Group (Insurance and Financial Services) lists the following problems with paraffin candles in an article on their website:
1) Reduces the internal air quality in your home.
2) Damage by particulate deposits on interior and exterior walls, carpets, furniture, appliances, window treatments, floors and other surfaces.
3) Contributes to health problems from inhaling particulate matter or ingesting harmful chemicals.
4) Spews hazardous chemicals that are either in the paraffin wax, the wick, or are present when paraffin wax is burned....Acetone, Benzene, Trichlorofluoromethane, Carbon Disulfide, 2-Butanone, Trichloroethane, Trichloroethene, Carbon Tetrachloride, Tetrachloroethene, Toluene, Chlorobenzene, Ethylbenzene, Styrene, Xylene, Phenol, Cresol, Cyclopentene and Lead
They go on to say...
"Another surprise is that the candle-making industry is not required to tell consumers about the ingredients used in their products, including when a wick is used which contains a lead core."
No one knows for sure if paraffin candles cause cancer, but there are at least 4 cancer-causing chemicals associated with paraffin candles.
The EPA lists these chemicals on their website:
1) Benzene (EPA classification as Group A, known human carcinogen).
2) Carbon Tetrachloride (EPA classification as Group B2 probable human carcinogen).
3) Trichloroethane (EPA classification as Group C, possible human carcinogen).
4) Toluene (EPA classification as Group B2 probable human carcinogen).
Would you burn animal fat in your home?
Most of us would answer an emphatic "No!" or "Yuck!" to that question, but like something straight out of a horror movie, you might react in horror to realize that you probably are burning animal fat in your home when you burn paraffin candles.
That's because many paraffin candles contain large amounts of animal fats to give them a more textured or rustic look.
So what's the alternative?
1) Reduces the internal air quality in your home.
2) Damage by particulate deposits on interior and exterior walls, carpets, furniture, appliances, window treatments, floors and other surfaces.
3) Contributes to health problems from inhaling particulate matter or ingesting harmful chemicals.
4) Spews hazardous chemicals that are either in the paraffin wax, the wick, or are present when paraffin wax is burned....Acetone, Benzene, Trichlorofluoromethane, Carbon Disulfide, 2-Butanone, Trichloroethane, Trichloroethene, Carbon Tetrachloride, Tetrachloroethene, Toluene, Chlorobenzene, Ethylbenzene, Styrene, Xylene, Phenol, Cresol, Cyclopentene and Lead
They go on to say...
"Another surprise is that the candle-making industry is not required to tell consumers about the ingredients used in their products, including when a wick is used which contains a lead core."
No one knows for sure if paraffin candles cause cancer, but there are at least 4 cancer-causing chemicals associated with paraffin candles.
The EPA lists these chemicals on their website:
1) Benzene (EPA classification as Group A, known human carcinogen).
2) Carbon Tetrachloride (EPA classification as Group B2 probable human carcinogen).
3) Trichloroethane (EPA classification as Group C, possible human carcinogen).
4) Toluene (EPA classification as Group B2 probable human carcinogen).
Would you burn animal fat in your home?
Most of us would answer an emphatic "No!" or "Yuck!" to that question, but like something straight out of a horror movie, you might react in horror to realize that you probably are burning animal fat in your home when you burn paraffin candles.
That's because many paraffin candles contain large amounts of animal fats to give them a more textured or rustic look.
So what's the alternative?
Naturally You is soon going to be carrying a line of gourmet candles distributed by Mia Bella
Some of the surprising benefits of these alternative candles include:
* Burn with no toxins, carcinogens or choking soot.
* Burn up to 50% longer than paraffin candles.
* Cruelty-free, contain no animal fats.
* Non-toxic, biodegradable, derived from a renewable resource.
* Cleans up easily with soap and hot water.
* Better for the environment.
* Use no nasty chemicals to release fragrance.
As more and more people learn about the harmful effects of burning paraffin candles in their homes, they're substituting their candles with surprising results.
So the next time you want to create a warm, inviting, and romantic atmosphere in your home, don't destroy your home - or your health, choose an alternative to paraffin candles such as Mia Bella, as a healthy alternative.
To learn more about the dangers of paraffin candles you can go to any of the following websites:
http://www.epa.gov
http://www.scorecard.org
http://www.webref.org
http://www.fpinva.org
