95% of candles on the market today are made of paraffin wax which is a petroleum waste product that is chemically bleached. When paraffin wax is burned, it can release toxic volatile organic compounds into the air including acetone, benzene & toluene, which are all known carcinogens.

Burning paraffin wax also produces petro-carbon soot with particles that can remain suspended in the air for hours. A study showed that these ultra fine soot particles are similar to dispel exhaust and can penetrate deeply into the lungs and are absorbed into the bloodstream.

Unfortunately candle brands are not legally required to disclose the ingredients within their candles, so it is impossible for consumers to know when a product includes potentially unsafe ingredients. Times are changing and people are demanding safer, cleaner products. But the candle industry is lagging behind. Do not be fooled; if the candle doesn’t say ‘paraffin-free’ it is safe to assume it contains paraffin. “Soy-blend” typically means paraffin is blended into soy because it is cheaper and accepts fragrance better.

We all love heavily scented candles that give our favorite spaces a lovely ambiance and smell. However, most scented candles use synthetic, lab made fragrances and dyes that give off dangerous chemicals even when they aren’t lit. Fragrance oils are not regulated and are not safe for inhalation. These chemicals can cause health problems ranging from headaches, dizziness, and allergy symptoms to asthma attacks, respiratory track infections and even cancer. Burning candles with fragrance oils in your home can compromise your indoor air quality and could potentially be toxic to your health.

When we inhale, airborne molecules interact with our olfactory organs which send a signal to the limbic system in our brain which is the center of emotions. These molecules are also carried into the lungs. Synthetic fragrances are known to cause endocrine disruption (the interference with hormones in your body). The endocrine system is a collection of glads that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth & development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep & mood. Fragrances can also contain allergens and neurotoxins that affect the immune system and the nervous system.

Unfortunately the fragrance industry is protected and able to withhold fragrance ingredients so we have no way of knowing how the fragrance was created and how dangerous it is. This doesn’t just apply for candles - this is consistent in all beauty & wellness products.

My rule of thumb - do not purchase any product with ‘fragrance’ listed in the ingredients list.

Candle wicks can also be a source of hidden toxins. In 2003 lead-wicks were banned in the US. However, lead-core wicks can still be found especially in products manufactured in China or Taiwan.

Candles with a lead-core wick release five times the amount of lead considered hazardous for children and exceeds EPA pollution standards for outdoor air.

Manufactures used to line cotton wicks with a fine lead core to help the wick stay up straight as the candle burned down.

To find out if your candle has a lead-wick:

1. Look for “lead-free'“ label

2. If your candle hasn’t been burned yet - rub the tip of the wick on a piece of paper. If it leaves a gray mark like a pencil, the wick contains a lead core.

3. For a candle that has already been burned, simply look at the wick and see if it has a fine metal core when you peel back some of the cotton.