Answering your burning questions about holiday candles (and frangrances)

By Angela

At this time of year, many of us love to slip into our pajamas, light a Frasier Fir scented candle, cozy up under a blanket and dive into a good book, show or movie. Burning candles is a way to make your home smell nice, add soft light and relax. There’s also a reason candles play a role in religious traditions and mindfulness practices around the world. Fire is foundational to human life, and we respond to it instinctively. Even looking at a recording of a hearth or campfire can induce physical and mental relaxation.

But in recent years, we’ve been hearing a lot about candles and air fresheners releasing toxic chemicals or that certain types of wax are safer than others. Let’s take a deeper dive into the “burning” questions around candle safety.

Whether it’s an aerosol bottle, plug-in, oil, scented candle or gel, if a product promises to clear smells with a scent of its own, chances are it harbors toxins that pollute indoor air quality. That’s because many air fresheners rely on chemicals to generate fragrances and have them linger in the air. Air fresheners are among a broader category of everyday products scientists say are laden with chemicals that have the potential to cause hormonal disruptions and respiratory issues.

The Science Behind It
Air fresheners emit over 100 chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes — some of which are associated with different types of cancer in high doses. These chemicals can react with naturally occurring compounds in the air and form secondary pollutants that worsen indoor air quality.

Health Effects
Exposure to high levels of VOCs can lead to adverse health effects, such as migraine headaches, asthma attacks, breathing difficulties and neurological problems. Short-term exposure can irritate the eyes, throat and nose, as well as cause nausea.

There are also chronic effects of air fresheners containing chemicals that can cause cancer or disrupt hormones. Some of these chemicals, such as phthalates, may have toxic effects even at low doses.  Phthalates are among a group of chemicals known as endocrine disruptors.  These chemicals can interfere with the human hormone system and the systems it regulates in our bodies.  They have been linked with a variety of health issues including fertility issues, asthma, and allergies. They are also often part of perfume ingredient lists, but they don’t have to be disclosed on product labels.

Fragrance can actually be made up of over 3,000 chemicals, some of which have been linked to health issues.  However, not all ingredients in fragrance are disclosed to the consumer, because fragrance or "parfum" is considered a trade secret.  Under current regulations, companies are not required to list the full ingredients used in their fragrances.

Environmental Impact
The obvious environmental impact of air fresheners is the emission of chemicals into the air.  Specifically for candles though, many are made with paraffin wax. Paraffin wax (or petroleum wax) is a soft colorless solid derived from petroleum, coal, or oil shale.  Paraffin wax is not biodegradable and can take a long time to break down, making it more difficult to dispose of vs. soy wax.  Paraffin wax isn’t renewable and doesn’t burn as cleanly as soy wax does.

While it can feel frustrating to learn that our favorite cozy scents and candles could be harmful to our health, we at Go Green Glen Ellyn feel that it's important to share this sort of information, so you can make informed decisions about what you bring into you home.  Good news - we share a list of safer swaps in the "Do" section below!

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE!

We aren’t suggesting that you throw away every candle, plug in or air freshener in your home.  But rather, simply cutting back on the use of products with strong fragrances — especially in indoor areas with poor ventilation. Minimize the use of sprays that spread scents throughout an area. 

Essential oils are a great option to add fragrances to indoor spaces, but before using them you should first check what is added to the oil. A short list of fully disclosed ingredients and minimally processed, naturally sourced oils is key.

For dispersing options, try using a reed diffuser — sticks that soak up oil scents and emit aromas — or a mister-type diffuser that sprays the essential oil in water. Misting essential oils in a spray bottle is also a safe option and great for bathrooms. Add a few drops of essential oil to your bath water for a lovely aromatic soak.

Try simmering spices. Place spices such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg in a pot of water and let it simmer on the stove.

Create a natural potpourri. Dried items such as flowers, fruit rinds, wood chips, and spices can be placed in bowls or fabric bags and placed around your home.

Consider opting for candles made from materials that are more biodegradable and less fossil-fuel-based, such as soy, coconut, palm and beeswax. Just be sure to burn them in a room that’s well ventilated, and be mindful of how long you spend near a burning candle.  Also, trim wicks to a quarter-inch and remove debris from the wax pool to minimize soot released into the air. There are many shops in downtown Glen Ellyn that sell soy or beeswax based candles!