candlesMany of the candles on the market today, especially the cheaper ones which are made of paraffin wax, contain carcinogens and toxins that are released into the air when burned.  These toxins can be harmful to the environment and to one’s health even if the room is properly ventilated.

People have always known that candles that give off a black soot when burned, are not good for a person’s health. However now there is scientific proof from South Carolina State University and two of their top scientists who performed research on various types of candles.

The scientists found that over prolonged periods of time, in unventilated spaces, toxin levels generated by paraffin candles can reach potentially hazardous levels.  These toxins, the scientists said, could cause or aggravate health problems such as asthma or allergies.

In extreme cases, the scientists contend, that flame-generated toxins from a paraffin candle could increase the risk of a major disease, including cancer.

The National Candle Association (NCA) says these scientists have provided no data for review and their conclusions are based on unsupported data.  The NCA went on to say that many of the researchers’ assumptions have no basis in fact and their findings conflict with scientific evidence.

For this study the scientists burned paraffin candles for up to six hours in a small box and then analyzed the air for the results. Some of the candles were a scented candle while others were unscented, and it made no difference.

The scientists concluded that lighting an occasional paraffin candle would not be harmful; although lighting several paraffin candles day after day, or sitting in a bathtub with lots of paraffin candles surrounding the tub could become harmful to one’s health.

The NCA countered that one would become extremely wrinkled in a bathtub, not to mention cold, before the paraffin candles would cause harm.

It was also noted that soy candles and bees wax candles pose no threat when the same test was conducted.

It should be noted that the South Carolina State University test was sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture under a grant meant to boost sales of domestic farm products and the title of the survey was “Soybean Candles for Healthy Life and Well-Being.”