Candles Love Soy!

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.

- original news article

Enter below to win a new Carmen Jar in your choice of fragrance! The winner was Gloria Turner. Congatulations!

1. To enter, comment on this post about why you would like to win this new jar in a few sentences or less. If you include a link on your blog about this contest or include it on your facebook, twitter or other networking site, you may enter as many as five times. Please include the link.

2. You must fill out your full name and email address in the comment section (your email will not be published and will not be used for any purpose other than this contest unless you opt-in to receive our newsletter).

3. United States residents only.

4. Winner Will be announced February 1st around Noon pst.

The winner of our Contest is Lauren at http://canubapartofmylife.blogspot.com Thanks everyone for entering!

Check out this wicked Angled Jar - we’re deciding whether or not to add them to the lineup for 2009. You can win one of your very own! It’s been burn-tested and burns very smoothly all the way down, with no waste. We just need to know if you would like it in your home. Could you do me a favor and let me know in the comments below? You don’t have to enter to comment, but if you want to enter, here’s how:

1. To enter, comment on this post about why you would like to try this new jar in a few sentences or less. If you include a link on your blog about this contest or include it on your facebook, twitter or other networking site, you may enter as many as five times. Please include the link.

2. You must fill out your full name and email address in the comment section (your email will not be published and will not be used for any purpose other than this contest unless you opt-in to receive our newsletter).

3. Contest will end at 6:40pm, Pacific Time, December 26, 2008.

4. United States residents only.

Yay - yay - we have a new addition! You can see it on our homepage - they’re new Sparkle Candles - and wow - they’re pretty sweet. A new twist on an old favorite - the palm wax pillar.

One of our long-time customers gave us the idea last year, and we ran with it. (thanks Matt!)

If you order a sparkle pillar, we’ll even throw in a matching sparkle tin.

Don’t just take my word for it, go check it out.

You had better hurry up though, these are only going to be here throught December 15th.