The desire for a pleasant home environment has made candles a popular consumer product, yet their combustion can introduce pollutants into indoor air. While the soft glow and inviting scents create ambiance, not all candles support a healthy living space. Consumers increasingly seek non-toxic options to enjoy a scented environment without compromising air quality. Understanding the components of a candle is the first step toward making informed choices for a healthier home.
Identifying Problematic Candle Ingredients
The majority of commercial candles are made from paraffin wax, an inexpensive byproduct of petroleum refining. When paraffin burns, it releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, including chemicals such as toluene and benzene. Exposure to these compounds is linked to indoor air pollution and can irritate the respiratory system or exacerbate conditions like asthma and allergies. Paraffin candles also produce fine particulate matter, or soot, which can travel deep into the lungs. This soot contributes to poor indoor air quality and can leave dark residue on walls and furniture surfaces over time.
Healthier Wax Alternatives and Their Properties
Healthier alternatives to conventional wax are derived from natural sources and offer a cleaner burn. Beeswax, sourced from honeycombs, is one of the oldest candle waxes available and burns with a bright, clean flame, producing virtually no soot. This wax naturally carries a subtle, sweet scent from the honey it contains, making it a pleasant choice even without added fragrance.
Soy wax, derived from soybean oil, is a popular choice due to its biodegradability and renewable nature, coming mostly from US-farmed soybeans. It typically burns at a cooler temperature than paraffin, resulting in a longer-lasting candle with minimal soot production. While soy wax is a cleaner option, it sometimes requires additives to improve its texture and scent throw.
A newer, luxurious option is a blend of coconut and apricot kernel oils, often called coconut apricot wax. This plant-based wax is favored for its clean-burning characteristics, offering a superior scent throw compared to straight soy wax. Coconut apricot blends are also known for a smooth finish and a longer, slower burn, making them a premium and sustainable alternative. Consumers looking for the cleanest possible burn often select these natural waxes because they reduce the introduction of petroleum-based chemicals into the home.
Evaluating Wicks and Fragrance Sources
Beyond the wax, the wick and the fragrance source significantly impact a candle’s health profile. Conventional wicks sometimes utilize a metal core to keep the wick rigid while burning. Historically, this core contained lead, which released toxic particles into the air, prompting a ban in the United States in 2003. Safer alternatives include wicks made from braided cotton, paper, or wood, which are the preferred choice for a clean burn.
The source of a candle’s scent is often the primary cause of indoor air quality concerns. Many mass-produced candles use synthetic fragrance oils, which can release additional VOCs when heated. These synthetic scents frequently contain phthalates, chemicals used to make the fragrance last longer, which are considered endocrine disruptors. Choosing candles scented exclusively with pure essential oils or certified phthalate-free fragrance oils significantly reduces the risk of introducing these chemical irritants into the air.
Safe Usage and Shopping Guidelines
Consumers can minimize health impacts by being diligent while shopping and burning candles. When purchasing, look for full transparency on the label, specifically seeking out candles that state they use 100% natural waxes, such as soy, beeswax, or coconut. Avoiding products with vague ingredient lists or those that simply list “fragrance” without specifying if it is phthalate-free is prudent.
To maintain a clean burn, the wick should be trimmed to approximately one-quarter inch before each lighting to prevent excessive soot and a large, flickering flame. Burning candles in a well-ventilated space helps to disperse any particulate matter or VOCs that may be released. Limiting the burn time to a maximum of three to four hours per session prevents the wax and container from overheating, ensuring a safer experience.