Paraffin Candles Could Cause Cancer, Researcher’s Say
Posted by admin on Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
I’ve been saying it for years, finally, a new study confirms what many in the candle industry already knew, but are afraid to admit. Burning paraffin based candles, even soy “blends”, could potentially contribute to you getting cancer. It is an unrecognized source of exposure to indoor air pollution, including the known human carcinogens, benzene and toulene, scientists report.
In the study by South Carolina State University, R. Massoudi Ph.D., and Amid Hamidi , Ph.D., said that that candles made from bee’s wax or soy, although more expensive, apparently are healthier. They do not release potentially harmful amounts of indoor air pollutants while retaining all of the warmth, ambience and fragrance of paraffin candles (which are made from petroleum).
“An occasional paraffin candle and its emissions will not likely affect you,” Hamidi said. “But lighting many paraffin candles every day for years or lighting them frequently in an un-ventilated bathroom around a tub, for example, may cause problems.”
Besides the more serious risks, he also suggested that some people who believe they have an indoor allergy or respiratory irritation may in fact actually be reacting to air pollutants from burning candles.
For more information, visit our soy candle facts or benefits of soy candles page.
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A similar article, posted on cnn.com has a comment from the National Candle Association, stating they have done their own tests on various types of candles, and have concluded that paraffin is a “safe” option. I’d just like to point out such a reaction is expected because the oil industry has assumed a very dominant position in the candle manufacturing business. The oil industry not only sells their byproducts to the candle industry but also has four members sitting on the board of the National Candle Association.
Filed in Environment, Fragrance, News, Random Thoughts, Soy Candles, Thoughtful |
David from Wedding Photographers NottinghamLED candles are good.
Chloe Maclarenwow, i had no ideas that burning paraffin candles can cause cancer! It makes me worry about what other things we use in our daily lives that are causing us harm.
Im going to only be using soy candles from now on.
Thanks.
Georgiy KharchenkoThere is not concrete proof about paraffin candles being carcinogenic; but one can easily see that bee wax or soy candles will be far better because of less impurities. Every time a research proves that paraffin candles can’t cause cancer, it’s almost always sponsored by parties that benefit from result.
Frank Lynchits shocking research, i mean very few of us would know this, since about 90% of people uses it, we need to spread and aware more and more people about it, keep alerting this way, so that we can make this world a more beautiful place to live.
David from Medical InsuranceThanks for the heads up.. My Mom and I received soy candles for xmas last year and she broke out in a rash and I couldn’t stop sneezing.
admin@David it may have been a soy blend, it could have been the fragrance, even if it were a true soy candle, sometimes if they are improperly made they’ll smoke and soot, which is just as bad as paraffin on our lungs.
harry from unique giftsEyes - opened, its those little thing that you do on a daily basis, that you write off as being safe because everyone else is doing it. I’ll definately be swithing to bee wax or soy candles as i can see how these would have less impurities.
thanks for the heads up, h
Engineering CollageThis is one area I’m working on changing. I’m getting bees this summer so I’m hoping to start making my own candles. I have difficulty finding ones that are not toxic.
Dave Simmons from Abdominal TrainersI am shocked by this as I have been using a candle every day for years to remove smells from my house. It seems that everything is bad for us!