Ah … fall … time to light some candles as we cozy up, get comfortable and spend more time indoors. But there is more than wax, wick and ambience in those flickering flames.
 

Why do you care?

• The most commonly used candle wax is paraffin, a petroleum bi-product.1
• As the flame melts the paraffin wax candle, it releases its ingredients into the air. Fine particulate matter, (that's soot to you and me) contributes to unhealthy indoor air quality and health groups have warned that these toxins particularly affect children and people with allergies and asthma.2
• Candle wicks use zinc, tin and lead metals as a rigid core. Burning candles with lead-core wicks can raise indoor lead levels above what the EPA recommends as safe, producing neuro-toxic lead vapor and dust. 3
• Synthetic fragrances are also released into the air when burned off. These scents typically contain hormone-disrupting phthalates and have other health impacts. See our e-bulletin Get a Whiff of This and Effects of Fragrance.
• Currently, there are no federal labeling requirements for candles, thus candle manufacturers do not have to list ingredients on the final product. 4
  
  

The Know How

• Look for beeswax, soy and vegetable-based waxes scented with pure essential oils for a "clean burn":
  
  • Beeswax is completely natural, non-toxic, and non-allergenic. It burns brighter and longer than average paraffin candles.
  • Soy candles are processed from soybeans, a biodegradable and renewable resource and also burn cleaner than paraffin.
  • Check labels. Look for 100% and pure wax, since manufacturers are allowed to label candles as beeswax even if the content is only 51%, soy candles can be as little as 20% soy wax.
• Choose all-cotton wicks. Although lead is banned, it may be found in some wicks. To test for metal wicks, separate fiber strands from wick to see if there is a metallic core.5
• Choose naturally scented waxes such as beeswax (sweet smell of honey) and bayberry (spicy) or candles scented with pure essential oils distilled from flowers (lavender, jasmine), woods (sandalwood, cedar), leaves (basil, eucalyptus) and resins (frankincense, myrrh).
• The Green Guide lists some Candles and Scents.
  

Know and Tell

• Patti has gone with a full candle make-over. She has replaced her tea lights with beeswax, her kitchen cooking candle is now a natural vanilla scented soy-wax candle. For her littlest ones 7th birthday, she'll use beeswax birthday candles. That was simple!
• Tamey has found the perfect luxury candle, take a look at the Product Reviews.
• Now you're armed with the basics - natural wax, cotton wick and essential oils - off to the local health food store, on-line eco shop or artisan show and hurry back home to get cozy.

P.S. Are there any burning issues you'd like to share? Visit our Blog.

1/2 Clearing the Air: How to Avoid Indoor Air Pollutants, Emily Main, The Green Guide, January/February 2006.
3. Candles and Incense as Potential Sources of Indoor Air Pollution: Market Analysis and Literature Review, United States Environmental Protection Agency, January 2001.
4. Candles Regulations - Vol. 137, No. 47 - November 22, 2003. Canada Gazette. retrieved from website October 15, 2007.
5. It's Your Health - Candle Safety. Health Canada, retrieved from website October 15, 2007.