Some things commonly used in homes are not necessarily safe. Burning scented candles in the home creates health risks according to scientific research. It is not safe to inhale the fumes created by burning them.
A study conducted at South Carolina State University found that burning scented candles was a source of indoor air pollution. The candles they tested released harmful chemicals in the air that included toluene, alkans, and alkenes. All of these chemicals are harmful when inhaled. Burning candles in an enclosed environment causes soot to build up in the air and can be a source of the carcinogen, formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde exposure already comes from many products such as nail polish, pressed wood products, glues, adhesives, disinfectants, and some cleaning products. It is a component of the “off-gassing” that occurs from new carpets, wood paneling, and furniture. The Environmental Protection Agency classified formaldehyde as a carcinogen in 1987.
Moreover, one CBS news report talked about the possible danger of burning scented candles. The news story featured a mother who burned scented candles in her home for many hours. She noticed her nostrils filled with soot and, even more frightening, was that her babies nostrils filled with soot. It was only after this happened that she saw a warning on the candles. It said it was unsafe to burn them for more than a few hours.
Paraffin candles are a byproduct of processing petroleum. That is why burning them causes indoor air pollution. Other scientific research confirms the risk of scented paraffin candles, especially those with metal wicks. When burning this type of candle, it may release toxic chemicals into the air from the wick as well, including lead. One mother’s child suffered lead poisoning because of this.
Keeper of the Home notes that burning scented paraffin candles may create many of the same components as the pollutants that come from burning diesel fuel, which include:
- Acetone
- Benzene
- Butanone
- Carbon Disulfide
- Carbon Tetrachloride
- Cresol
- Cyclopentene
- Phenol
- Styrene
- Tetrachloroethene
- Toluene
- Trichloroethane
- Trichloroethene
- Trichlorofluoromethane
- Xylene
Wouldn’t it be nice to have the lovely smells, without the problems of indoor air pollution or breathing in dangerous chemicals that arise from burning scented candles? Thankfully, there is an alternative.
Tim & Gina Dunham, the owners of TakeASCENTimentalJourney.com says, “Our safer candle alternatives are wickless, flameless, do not require being plugged in, and are refreshed by simply adding water to them. We only use cosmetic-quality, essential, and natural oils to make our safer scents.”
These Safer Candle Alternatives / Air fresheners, not only smell terrific, they are no fuss, no mess, and do not cause the health problems associated with burning scented paraffin candles. As the water starts to evaporate When the water runs out in the safer candle alternative, they are easy to reactivate by simply adding water to release more of the fragrance. nice smells. They come in a variety of wonderful aromas and they last a long time, up to 2,880 hours.
These flameless, wickless, water-charged, non-burning scented safer candle alternatives candles are the perfect solution for those who want a nice smelling home, office or dorm, without the risks that come with constant exposure to indoor air pollution caused by burning scented paraffin candles.