Burning a candle might seem insignificant and harmless indulgence, but researchers say that may not be the case. Keep reading for the three things that I have found that I want to share with you for the benefit of YOUR health.
1. Is there REALLY a health impact of candle smoke?
You betcha!
I used to really enjoy lighting candles in my home. Actually for many years, I would have several burning in each room, not only for the scent, but for the atmosphere. The flicker of the flame was so incredibly relaxing. However, after seeing some black soot on my wall from burning candles day after day, I started doing a bit of digging and here's what I've found. Most of us think that the largest hazard in candle burning is the risk of a fire hazard. Actually, it's the damage that is done to our lungs from breathing those fumes.
"A study by scientists at Copenhagen University conducted on mice found exposure to particles from burning candles to cause greater damage than the same dose of diesel exhaust fumes. The harmful effects of candle smoke included lung inflammation and toxicity, arteriosclerosis, and ageing effects on chromosomes in the lungs and spleen."
And, remember, this is all happening right inside your home!
2. What's in that wax anyway?
Most candles are paraffin-based, although some have also been made with the use of soy-based material. Well, you say, isn't a soy-based candle better? Actually, the soy candles aren't that healthy for us either.
"A 2009 study by U.S. researchers found that paraffin-based candles release carcinogens and chemicals that could raise the risk of asthma."
3. And, oh, the wicks.
That's another topic altogether! I was one of the worst at remembering to snip my wicks to make them shorter as they burned, which means even more soot and toxins disbursing into my home, right? Who's with me, y'all?
"Many scented candles also have wicks that contain heavy metals like lead, and even a few hours of burning them can create levels of airborne heavy metals that are much higher than the acceptable limits." YUCK! Who wants that in the air that we're breathing, right?
4. But they smell soooo good!
That scent is what's called "fragrance." Fragrance is another way for companies to through in synthetics and other endocrine disruptors that are extremely harmful to our systems. Ever wondered why our children are developing so rapidly and having so many hormonal issues so much younger than the generations before? I used to be plagued by allergy symptoms every single day, never realizing that much of what I was enduring I was actually causing myself by just not realizing what I was doing to the air inside my home.
"Approximately 95 percent of the chemicals in these fragrances are derived from petrochemicals. Unfortunately, petrochemicals are linked to increased cancer risk, birth defects and allergies."
What alarmed me ever more was when I read that "when studied by the Environmental Working Group, more than 75 percent of products which listed the ingredient “fragrance,” the main ingredient in candles, contained harmful phthalates. These chemicals have been directly linked to hormone disruption, reduced sperm count, cancer and even possible fetal exposure to autism."
BUT... there IS A BETTER WAY!
Wanna know more? Contact me to find out how to have that RELAXED awesome aroma without the toxins and health risks.
ShelaghD
Wellness Encourager
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