Are you getting more from your candles than you bargained for?
Currently there are no federal labeling requirements for candles, other than those required for consumer commodities under the Federal Trade Commission’s Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (manufacturer’s name, commodity weight, measurements, etc.). National Candle Association members typically place safe-use instructions on their candles or the candle packaging. NCA spearheaded the drive for candle fire-safety labeling, working with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to create voluntary labeling standards for the industry. Currently there are labels for the fire safety of candles and the heat-resistance of glass candleholders.
But what about what’s in the candles?
Many candles are made with paraffin wax. Most people don’t know that paraffin is a petroleum by-product, and candles made with paraffin wax may be a t hreat to your health. After petroleum is processed into gasoline, kerosene, motor oil, diesel, and other fuels, the waste is then used in the production of paraffin. This waste contains harmful toxins and carcinogens. The burning of paraffin candles will deposit unwanted pollutants into our homes and endangers our family, our pets, and ourselves. According to experts, breathing in the soot released by paraffin has been known to cause upper respiratory problems. When petroleum was first used to manufacture paraffin, no one knew of the health risks involved. We now have documented studies from experts citing paraffin’s health risks, yet, companies still continue to manufacture and sell these candles that could be public health hazards.
• 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.
• 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.”
There is another hidden danger when it comes to the burning of candles.
On Nov. 18, 1999channel 5 eyewitness news in Salt Lake City, UT ran a report based on studies done at the University of Michigan’s school of public health. This study along with countless others found that many candles on the market today are made with wicks that have either lead or lead cores that emit potentially dangerous levels of lead into the air.
In the study they tested 15 different brands of candles made in the United States, Mexico and China. They examined the concentration levels of lead that lingered in the air in an enclosed space, such as a room measuring 12 feet by 12 feet and 10 feet high, after one hour and then again for five hours.
Now, the EPA recommendation for lead in the air is 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter. In the study after 1 hour of burning the candles lead emission rates were estimated to range from 0.04 to 13.1 micrograms per cubic meter. After one hour, five of the candles tested emitted unsafe levels of lead into the air that measured greater than 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter.
After five hours, the lead levels in an enclosed space ranged from 0.21 to 65.3 micrograms per cubic meter. Candles produced in China and the United States released the highest levels of lead into the air.
Regular exposure to lead in this manner in confined spaces could pose health risks to people with weak immune systems, especially children and the elderly . Lead poisoning remains one of the most serious environmental health diseases in this country and other parts of the world. It affects many organ systems and biochemical processes with the most serious often occurring in the central nervous, cardiovascular and blood systems .
Studies have shown that the central nervous system of children is particularly sensitive to lead. Some of the most damaging neuropsychological effects of lead poisoning of young children include learning disabilities, reduced psychometric intelligence and behavioraldisorders. These effects have been associated with chronic low-level exposure to lead and are believed to be irreversible.
A recent study has shown that particles emitted by candles during a normal burn are sub-micron in size which means they will remain suspended in the atmosphere for some time. According to the NCA (national candle association)”Just burning a lead-wicked candle for three hours may lead to concentrations of lead in the air that are nine to 33 times higher than those acceptable under federal guidelines,” A study performed by Public Citizen (a nationwide group that studies environmental safety issues). Lead wicks have been proven to cause accidental poisoning and can aggravate respiratory problems-including asthma. Yet millions of lead-wicked candles are sold in the United States annually.
The National Candle Association strongly supports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in its effort to ban lead wicks from the U.S. market.
Dangers of lead wicks
“Zinc wicks may be safe, but lead-wicked candles are not,” says the NCA. “Just burning a lead-wicked candle for three hours may lead to concentrations of lead in the air that are nine to 33 times higher than those acceptable under federal guidelines,” states a study performed by Public Citizen (a nationwide group that studies environmental safety issues). Lead wicks have been proven to cause accidental poisoning and can aggravate respiratory problems-including asthma. Yet millions of lead-wicked candles are sold in the United States annually.
So how can you tell if a candlewick contains lead?
Testing for lead
There is an easy way to test whether or not a candlewick contains lead. Take an ordinary piece of white paper. Rub it on the tip of an unburned candlewick. If it leaves a light grey pencil like mark, the wick most likely contains lead. Fortunately now there’s a safer alternative.
Making your home a safe place
Make the decision now to change to zinc-wicked candles, and take pride in knowing you’re doing what’s best for you and your family. Everyone should be able to enjoy the warmth of candlelight in their home. But no one should risk their health for it.
For more information on candle safety, visit www.candles.org.
What should I know about fire safety and candles?
Candles are safe when burned properly, responsibly, and according to manufacturers’ directions. When burning candles, consumers should always follow these basic safety rules:
Lighted candles should always be within sight. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire.
Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
Read and follow all manufacturer instructions carefully.
Trim the wick to ¼ inch each time before burning.
Always use an appropriate candleholder placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents and air currents.
Extinguish a candle if it smokes, flickers repeatedly, or the flame becomes too high. Cool, trim wick, check for drafts, and re-light.
Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times.
Do not burn a candle for longer than the manufacturer recommends.
Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room.
Extinguish the flame if it comes too close to the holder or container. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains (1/2 inch if in a container).
Never touch or move a votive or container candle when the wax is liquid.
Extinguish pillar candles if the wax pool approaches the outer edge.
Place lighted candles at least 3 inches apart from one another.
Tips and secrets on the art of burning candles.
- Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before each lighting.
- Keep melted wax pool free of wick trimming, matches, and other debris.
- Keep lit candles out of drafts.
- Make sure candle cools completely before re-lighting.
- When 1/2 inch of wax remains, dispose of candle.
- Never leave a candle burning unattended.
Candle Industry Facts
- U.S.retail sales of candles are estimated at approximately $2 billion annually, excluding sales of candle accessories.
- There are more than 350 commercial, religious and institutional manufacturers of candles in the United States, as well as scores of small craft producers for local, non-commercial use.
- Candles are used in 7 out of 10 U.S. households.
- Candles can range in retail price from approximately 50¢ for a votive candle to around $75 for a large column candle, although a specialty candle could be as much as $200.
- Candle shipments increase substantially during the third quarter of the year because of the seasonal nature of candle sales during the end-of-year holiday celebrations (including Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa), since candles play a large role at this time of year (religious occasions, gifts and decorations).
- Candle industry research indicates that the most important factors affecting candle sales are scent, color, cost and shape. Fragrance is by far the most important characteristic, with three-fourths of candle purchasers saying it is “extremely important” or “very important” in their selection of a candle for the home.
- Two-thirds of candle purchasers say they use candles once a week or more often. Women are more frequent users than men, and younger people tend to use candles more often than older adults.
- Nine out of ten candle users say they use candles to make a room feel comfortable or cozy.
- Candle purchasers view candles as an appropriate gift for the holidays (76%), as a house warming gift (74%), a hostess/dinner party gift (66%), a thank you (61%) and as adult birthday gifts (58%).
If you want to learn about a place where you can purchase safe candles let me know . Regardless of where you shop, please make safe shopping choices now that you know :)
