Is using candles really safe for our health? Here's what the experts say
There are many reasons why we light candles at home: to spread a pleasant scent throughout the home, to create a romantic atmosphere, or simply to keep us company and help us relax. However, using candles is not always hassle-free: a wick that is too long or too short, the annoying smell of smoke after extinguishing them, spilled wax - these are just some of the "inconveniences" candle use can cause.
Added to this is an "explosion" of articles online that suggest that burning candles can actually be harmful for users. But are these claims true? And why would this be the case? Well, let's find out:
Are scented candles really harmful for our health?
Scented candles are a cause of indoor pollution due to the products they give off during combustion. In particular, burning scented candles releases volatile organic compounds such as toluene and soot into the air (and especially when the flame is flickering or has been extinguished).
Technically then, burning candles does worsen of the quality of the air in our rooms. However the quantity of the above-mentioned combustion by-products that are dispersed into the air is not harmful for one's health (unless, of course, hundreds of candles are burned for hours in a small, poorly-ventilated location).
How to reduce indoor pollution from candles
If you don't want the burning of candles to affect the air quality in your rooms, there are several measures you can take:
- Limit the number of candles used at the same time in any one room;
- Make sure rooms are well ventilated;
- When you buy candles, ge those without fragrances or dyes and whose wax is refined and pure;
- A shorter wick will result in less material being burned and will reduce the amount of smoke and soot produced;
- Make sure that the container in which you burn the candles does not exceed the height of the wick to facilitate the dispersion of the volatile compounds.
DIY scented candles
Do you fancy making your own scented candles? To ensure they are safe and reliable, proceed as follows:
- Get some glass jars, natural wax, wicks and essential oils you like (being careful not to choose allergenic types);
- Melt the wax in a bain-marie over a very low heat, then adding the chosen essential oil and mixing carefully;
- Insert the wick into the glass jar, keeping it vertical, and pour the mixture of wax and essential oil into the jar, securing the top of the wick;
- Wait for the wax to harden thoroughly before using your DIY candle.
In short, the proper use of candles will be health risk free!