Are Everyday Candles Destroying Your Home And Health?
Are Everyday Candles Destroying Your Home And Health?
Did you know that most candles are made from the sludge in the
bottom of a barrel of oil which is bleached and texturized with
a chemical called acrolein?
They're called paraffin candles and burning one puts all the
same horrible toxins and carcinogens (cancer causing agents)
into the air in your home that burning diesel fuel in your home
would.
The National Candle Association estimates that more than 7
million people in the US alone burn candles every year.
But testing by the EPA has confirmed that those candles, and the
smoke and soot they give off, contain several dangerous
chemicals in significant quantities. These chemicals include
known or probable carcinogens, neurotoxins and reproductive
toxins.
The American Lung Association also warns that burning paraffin
candles can emit toxins (in measurable amounts) into your home's
air.
It might shock you to learn that after burning just a few
paraffin candles in your home, the overall effect on the quality
of the air in your home could be worse than the air in major
cities like Los Angeles!
Not only is your health affected, but the health of your pets
and children as well.
Cathy Flanders who has been at the forefront of addressing
health and safety issues involving candles says, "With the
current 'candle-craze' and increased candle burning in homes,
expectant Moms need to be aware of the fact that the emissions
from some candles are toxic, reproductive toxins, neuro-toxins
and/or carcinogens. This has been a growing cause for concern
for the EPA and children's health agencies."
And it might hit your pocket book soon too. Not only is the
price of oil spiraling out of control, but you might have a
nasty surprise the next time you go to renew your homeowners
insurance.
The NIA Group (Insurance and Financial Services) lists the
following problems with paraffin candles in an article on their
website:
* Reduces the internal air quality in your home.
* Damage by particulate deposits on interior and exterior walls,
carpets, furniture, appliances, window treatments, floors and
other surfaces.
* Contributes to health problems from inhaling particulate
matter or ingesting harmful chemicals.
* Spews hazardous chemicals that are either in the paraffin wax,
the wick, or are present when paraffin wax is burned....Acetone,
Benzene, Trichlorofluoromethane, Carbon Disulfide, 2-Butanone,
Trichloroethane, Trichloroethene, Carbon Tetrachloride,
Tetrachloroethene, Toluene, Chlorobenzene, Ethylbenzene,
Styrene, Xylene, Phenol, Cresol, Cyclopentene and Lead
They go on to say...
"Another surprise is that the candle-making industry is not
required to tell consumers about the ingredients used in their
products, including when a wick is used which contains a lead
core."
No one knows for sure if paraffin candles cause cancer, but
there are at least 4 cancer-causing chemicals associated with
paraffin candles.
The EPA lists these chemicals on their website:
1) Benzene (EPA classification as Group A, known human
carcinogen).
2) Carbon Tetrachloride (EPA classification as Group B2 probable
human carcinogen).
3) Trichloroethane (EPA classification as Group C, possible
human carcinogen).
4) Toluene (EPA classification as Group B2 probable human
carcinogen).
Would you burn animal fat in your home?
Most of us would answer an emphatic "No!" or "Yuck!" to that
question, but like something straight out of a horror movie, you
might react in horror to realize that you probably are burning
animal fat in your home when you burn paraffin candles.
That's because many paraffin candles contain large amounts of
animal fats to give them a more textured or rustic look.
So what's the alternative?
Believe it or not, the answer comes from soybeans.
The soy plant produces a waxy substance that not only burns
cooler, but can burn up to 50% longer than paraffin wax.
Since soy wax is derived from plants, it's a renewable resource
that's a pleasure for candle makers to work with.
Some of the surprising benefits of soy candles include:
* Burn with no toxins, carcinogens or choking soot.
* Burn
up to 50% longer than paraffin candles.
* Cruelty-free,
contain no animal fats.
* Non-toxic, biodegradable, derived
from a renewable resource.
* Cleans up easily with soap and
hot water.
* Better for the environment.
* Use no nasty
chemicals to release fragrance.
* Supports the American
farmer - not foreign oil.
As more and more people learn about the harmful effects of
burning paraffin candles in their homes, they're substituting
soy candles with surprising results.
Karen Key, a mother of three in Washington state, had this to
say, "I'm asthmatic and when I burn paraffin candles in my home,
or get around smoke or perfumy scents, my airway closes down and
I start to panic. So I was more than a little nervous when a
friend lit a scented soy candle in front of me. I have to say
I'm completely amazed. Shocked is a better word. With soy
candles I now have no problem breathing and I can finally enjoy
the beauty and magic of candles in my home once again!"
So the next time you want to create a warm, inviting, and
romantic atmosphere in your home, don't destroy your home - or
your health, choose all-natural soy candles as a healthy
alternative.
To learn more about the dangers of paraffin candles you can go
to any of the following websites:
http://www.epa.gov
http://www.soycandlemaker.biz
http://www.scorecard.org
http://www.webref.org
http://www.fpinva.org