Candles - Ingredients and Health Implications

There are a select few things in our modern world that bring joy and relaxation to the majority of people no matter their age, ethnicity, gender, etc. Some of those small delights are candles. I'm sure there are some people that “just can't” with them, but I have yet to meet someone like that. Every house I have ever visited has at least one candle that's either for practical purposes or aesthetics. Whether the candle's function is to light up a room or to set “the mood,” candles have been used by humans for centuries. Because of their extensive history of use, they are also among a long list of goods that consumers usually buy without any thought surrounding the ingredients or how it could negatively affect their household's overall health. I'm guilty of it, too!

Many people believe that most candles bought in the US are harmful in multiple ways. According to Matthai and Petereit (2007), though,

“in many cases the supposed health hazard emanating from candles has proved to be unsubstantiated, as the trace substances cited could not be proven to exist or were only present in amounts which are not harmful to health [24, 25]. However, a few concerns in a limited number of cases could be proved. These cases only involved additives (colour, fragrances etc.). The responsible candle manufacturers in Europe and USA reacted immediately and banned substances such as lead in wicks from candle manufacturing [26].”

It's great to read that some companies in Europe and the US have stopped using those harmful substances for their products, but in a nation (USA) where most goods are manufactured in and imported from China, whose companies are less responsible, the metal-core wick issue (among other issues) is still present.

Of course, these health concerns do not ring true across the board – some candles bought in the stores are perfectly safe; however, since candle manufacturers are not required by law to list the ingredients of the candle on a label, we are left guessing which ones are safe and which ones are not.

Without being too sensational (which is way harder to do than it sounds), this article is meant to bring attention to the harmful ingredients that are found in most commercially sold candles and give you alternative options. Holistic Mitten's purpose, after all, is to help you make good choices for yourself and for our planet.

Commercial Candle Ingredients

Paraffin Wax

When it comes to commercial candles, the ingredients usually contain synthetic substances like paraffin wax, fragrances, color and metal-core wicks (Matthai and Petereit, 2007). Paraffin isn't truly a wax at all; yet, it's a substance that was derived from petroleum. Petroleum is a naturally occurring substance that can be found in stores and generally thought of as a safe product to use. The problem with petroleum and, therefore, paraffin is that it is a fossil fuel; yet, paraffin and petroleum are commonly used in beauty products, candles, etc. This raises the issue of sustainability and environmental impact (not to mention the personal health conditions it may cause). Almost everyone in the world agrees that the overuse of fossil fuels and its byproducts is detrimental to the health of our planet and the life within it. Even if petroleum/paraffin is proven to be safe to use on the human body, that doesn't mean we should use it. The push for renewable energy sources should go hand-in-hand with the commercial use of these same types of substances (and others, like palm oil), but often seems to be neglected.

Candle Wicks and Additives

The wick of a candle is often referred to as “the soul of the candle” (Matthai and Petereit, 2007), but sometimes isn't as pure as one would hope “the soul” to be. As mentioned in an article by M. Kaplan (2014) titled Toxins in Burning Candles, Candle Wicks, and Incense, "'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.”

The problem with metal-core wicks is lead poisoning. The lead doesn't only affect us through the air; it can leave deposits on the floors, walls, etc. where children are crawling around (and we all know children do not discriminate against what they put in their mouths). Lead can affect people by inhalation, ingestion, and/or absorption through the skin.

The additives in commercial candles, like fragrance and color, are minute issues in the grand scheme of this topic; however, it should be known that those additives probably do have negative side effects when inhaled on a regular basis (not to mention environmental risks they may carry).

Alternative Candle Ingredients

Beeswax

There are a ton of writings on the internet and in the libraries that list the benefits of beeswax candles; however, if you try to find the scientific sources of these statements cited at the end, you will be hard pressed to find any. This is probably mostly due to the lack of scientific research around this topic. There have been numerous studies done on the negative effects of the ingredients in commercially bought candles (as we touched on earlier); but still, even those conclusions aren't solid (and sometimes outdated).

Many people claim that beeswax, when burned, can actually help clean the air because they emit negative ions. I have yet to find any credible, scientific work that backs this up, though. There are a few benefits I have learned from making and using them myself, however, which include:

• burning slower than paraffin, which reduces the quantity of candles you need to buy in any given time period AND reduces the amount of waste you create

• the pleasant, natural smell of honey or beeswax that fills the air after only a few minutes of burning, which means that beeswax candles can be “unscented” (AKA no synthetic additives) and still smell great

• environmentally-friendly and sustainable when farming practices are done right

Whether the statements about beeswax benefits are true or not, beeswax is still a better choice for candle making than paraffin. Environmental reasons for not purchasing something are just as valid as personal health reasons.

A Note About Bees

While purchasing beeswax to make your own candles, or while purchasing beeswax candles at a street fair or a store, be mindful of where that wax was sourced. Were the bees given a proper habitat (i.e. clean water supply, nectar from organic flowers, etc.)? Were the bees respectfully cared for by the beekeeper? Most often, small, family-owned bee farms will be your best bet for ethically-produced and environmentally-friendly bee products. If we take care of the bees and use their products only as needed (don't be greedy!), then the bees will, in turn, take care of us.

Other Notes

For vegan options, look for candles made from soy or candelilla.

• When avoiding paraffin, be aware that sometimes commercial candles that claim “beeswax,” “soy” or “candelilla” can also have a majority of paraffin. This is due to the lack of federal regulations regarding labels on candles. It is best to buy from a trusted, local source, or to buy candles that are labeled as “100% beeswax,” “blend of beeswax and coconut oil,” etc.

• Don't forget to question the wicks, too! 100% cotton is the healthiest.

Sources

Kaplan, M. (2014, January 1). Toxins in Burning Candles, Candle Wicks, and Incense. Retrieved June 20, 2018, from http://www.anapsid.org/cnd/mcs/candles.html.

Knight, L., Levin, A., & Mendenhall, C. (2001). Candles and incense as potential sources of indoor air pollution: Market analysis and literature review. United States Environmental Protection Agency: Research and Development, R(01), 001st ser.

Matthai, M., & Petereit, N. (2007). The Quality Candle. 13(06), 2007th ser. Retrieved June 20, 2018.