DOCTORS WARN OF PERFUMES AND SCENTED CANDLES

Allergies and Asthma? Be Careful when Burning Scented Candles

Candles are the most popular mood-makers. In particular, scented candles are very popular. They provide an “individual smell” in shops, at events, in restaurants and in homes. However, lung doctors warn against using scented candles, especially if they are made of paraffin. Paraffin candles are made from petroleum, which is produced from oil. Slags are often used by the oil industry for the manufacturing of candles.

This allows the production cost of the candles to be kept to a minimum, ensuring a larger profit margin for manufacturers and retailers. Alternatively, lung doctors recommend candles from beeswax or soy instead, and advise consumers to refrain from scented candles and other scented air products altogether. (1) The Medical Association of the German Allergists speak out and are critical of fragrances. (2)

Scented Candles – A Problem for Allergy and Asthma Suffers

Pulmonary doctors of the German Lung Foundation (DLS) consider the use of scented candles made from paraffin as a concern for allergy sufferers and asthmatics. When the burning materials are released, they may cause or exacerbate the respiratory symptoms. Even people with perfume allergies are at risk. Skin reactions may be exacerbated by the burning of scented candles. Those with perfume allergies are therefore advised to abandon all scented candles.

Which is of Greater Concern…Natural Fragrance or Chemicals?

It is often stated, it was “only” a natural fragrance. The consumer often makes purchases with this promise of a false sense of security. Whether natural fragrances are a better choice than chemical fragrances is answered by Professor Thomas Fuchs, an allergist with the Department of Dermatology with the University of Medicine at Goettigen, November 2010 in the Rheinische Post: “… in the end fragrances are fragrances, whether they are natural or produced in the laboratory.”

Should those with a fragrance allergy use any fragrances at all? Professor Fox, who belongs to the Association of German Allergists, makes his position on this matter clear: “Those who are affected by a fragrance allergy should also do without all fragrances as much as possible.”

Fragrances Can Trigger Asthma Attacks

Scented candles are very problematic for asthma sufferers. It is reported that some asthmatics must resort more often to using asthma inhalers. Extreme caution must be used to leave locations where scented candles are being burned.

Paraffin Candles Emit Pollutants

“Paraffin candles are made from petroleum,” said Professor Harald Morr, CEO, on the website of the German Lung doctors. “Especially people, who have already developed a contact allergy to certain perfumes, risk the increase from the burning of substances released to the skin or allergic symptoms in the airways. This can cause skin rashes and asthma symptoms.”

Concern for the burning of candles is not just for asthma or allergy sufferers alone, but also for anyone who is in a room where candles are burning. It is recommended by pulmonary doctors from the German Lung Foundation to be cautious and have good ventilation, especially in small rooms or in places with poor ventilation. In addition, they even advise, to set up fans to get rid of the pollutants faster which are released by the candles. Is this advice over the top? Surely not, because especially if several candles are burning at the same time, this can quickly lead to significant pollution in indoor environments.

Not only is the paraffin of concern, but also the wicks, which are very often contain lead. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published that the proven lead exposure in children was caused to a considerable extent by the burning of candles. (3)

Candle Magic to Create Atmosphere

Those who are concerned about health should refrain from scented candles and instead use candles from plant based sources, soy and beeswax instead of those made from paraffin.

Mood candles in the living room should be limited to special occasions and should be selected for their pollution-free quality. After the use of each candle it is important to thoroughly air out the room, and make sure that candles are “suffocated” completely.

Author: Silvia K. Müller, CSN – Chemical Sensitivity Network

Literature:

1. Lungenärzte im Netz, Paraffin in Duftkerzen kann die Atemwege reizen und Asthma hervorrufen, 15.11.2010
2. RP, Experte rät zu Verzicht auf Parfüm, 24.11.2010
3. Silvia K. Müller, Vorsicht bei MCS: Kerzen können zu Schadstoffbelastung in Innenräumen beitragen, CSN, 13.12.2008

Scientific findings on the causes of contact allergy

February 20th, 2011 and is filed under Allergy, Asthma, Chemical Exposure, Healthy Living, Perfume.

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Beeswax Benefits – Beat Nagging Allergies and Sinus Problems
by Dr. Jonathan V. Wright MD
(Reprinted From “Nutrition and Healing”)

It’s not everyday you see nuns in full religious garb anymore, so when two walked into the Tahoma Clinic recently, they attracted a bit of attention from both the staff and patients. But that wasn’t what I remember most about their visit. Before they left the Clinic that day, the nuns taught me an approach to respiratory health I’d never even heard of before.

Like many monastic orders, these nuns support themselves and their convent by making and selling products. Their specialty is 100 percent beeswax candles, which, Mother Thecla told me, actually clean the air, helping to reduce the pollutant and allergen load.

Technology actually made candles worse for your health

She went on to explain that hundreds of years ago, most candles were made of beeswax. But over the centuries, beeswax candles were gradually replaced by tallow (animal fat) candles, and then in the last century by paraffin candles, which are probably the kind you have in your home right now. It sounds innocent enough, but paraffin is made from the sludge at the bottom of barrels of crude oil, which is then treated and bleached with benzene and other chemical solvents to “clean it up” for use in candles.

Paraffin candles put out soot and smoke when you burn them (I thought all candles did that) along with toxins and carcinogens. Since burning petrochemical paraffin smells bad, synthetic fragrance oils are added, many of which are irritating and even toxic themselves when they’re burned. Breathing what paraffin candles give off has been compared to breathing diesel fumes.

And, to make matters worse, the soot, smoke, and chemical residue from “regular” candles can stick to walls, ceilings, and ventilation ducts and gets re-circulated whenever the heating/cooling system is in action, exposing you to these pollutants even when the paraffin candles aren’t burning.

Allergy, sinus, and asthma relief just from lighting a candle

But beeswax candles don’t cause any of those problems. In fact, Mother Thecla told me people with allergies, sinus problems, and asthma have reported significant improvement in their symptoms, breathing better and sleeping better after burning the 100 percent beeswax candles in their bedrooms for three to four hours before bedtime. One person who burned a beeswax candle all day when she was home reported that her asthma gradually went away completely.

After the nuns left, I did a bit of my own research to see if I could turn up any scientific evidence on bees-wax’s effects. Although scientists still don’t know all the intricacies of the complex molecules in beeswax, there’s at least a partial explanation for the healthful action of burning beeswax candles. According to entomologist Bill Reno, burning beeswax produces negative ions.

Negative ions are nature’s air purifiers, cleaning the air of dust, mold, bacteria, viruses, and other pollutants.

Make sure you’re getting the real deal

Here’s the catch: to get any of these benefits, the candle has to be 100 percent beeswax. And, unfortunately, a candle only needs to contain 51 percent beeswax to be labeled as a beeswax candle. The rest can be paraffin (or anything else burnable), so it may not be as easy as picking one up the next time you’re at the mall.

One way to find out is to ask the store clerk to light the candle: 100 percent beeswax candles have a uniquely fresh smell–which is distinctly different from paraffin. (The nuns even showed us the difference, so I can vouch for the fact that it’s a noticeable one.)

Why are Beeswax candles more expensive?

Beeswax candles can be on the expensive side–at least in comparison to “regular” paraffin candles. But beeswax actually burns slower, so you’ll get more for your money than if you opted for the cheaper versions. Plus, the potential for better respiratory health is well worth the few extra cost.

There’s not much hard evidence on beeswax’s health benefits, but if it’s possible that something as simple as burning a candle might be able to help your respiratory problems, it’s at least worth a try.

JVW

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Natural Candles

By Cathy Wong

Here are some tips on buying natural candles.

Tip #1: Avoid chemical additives 
be sure to read the label on the candle packaging. Some candles may contain chemical additives that may be released into the air and inhaled when they are burned.

Tip #2: Make sure the wick doesn't contain lead
Some candles may have wicks with a metallic core that contains lead. When the wicks burn, lead vapours and dust may be released into the air, which can be harmful.
The most reliable way of finding out is to ask the retailer or manufacturer. Some people suggest removing wax from the tip of the wick, separating the fibres from the wick to check if it has a metallic core and then rubbing the metallic core on a white piece of paper. If it leaves a grey mark on paper, it may contain lead.

Candles with lead-core candle wicks have been banned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) since 2003. They are also banned in Australia. In Canada, however, they are currently still for sale. It's estimated that approximately 10% of candles there contain lead, most of them manufactured in either China or Taiwan.

Tip #3: Look for candles made with vegetable wax
Proponents of natural candles suggest using candles made with vegetable wax rather than paraffin, which is a petroleum-based byproduct of refined gasoline. Vegetable wax is thought to burn longer, cleaner and more evenly than paraffin and not give off an oily soot:

Beeswax candles - these candles were once the norm before they were replaced by tallow and paraffin. Look for beeswax candles that haven't been dyed and are their natural honey colour. Again, remember to read the label. A product only has to contain 51% beeswax to be labeled a beeswax candle, even if the rest is paraffin.

Beeswax candles are more expensive but they often burn longer. You can also consider making your own. Craft stores and natural health foods stores often carry sheets of beeswax.
Soy candles - These candles are made from soybean oil, a type of vegetable oil.

Sources:
Wasson SJ, Guo Z, McBrian JA, Beach LO. Lead in candle emissions. Sci Total Environ. (2002) 296.1-3: 159-74.

A CPSC Investigation

A CPSC investigation found that despite a voluntary industry agreement to remove lead from candle wicks, a small percentage of candles sold in the past several years still contained lead-cored wicks. CPSC staff found that some lead-cored wicks could emit relatively large amounts of lead into the air during burning. Children may then inhale the vaporized lead, placing them at risk. Children may also be exposed to lead by mouthing objects on which lead has settled or by handling such objects and then mouthing their hands.

Some of the candles tested by CPSC staff emitted lead levels in excess of 3,000 micrograms per hour - about seven times the rate that could lead to elevated levels of lead in a child. CPSC estimates that an indoor air lead level of 430 micrograms per hour from burning candles could result in hazardous exposure to children.

Some container, pillar, votive, and tealight candles use metal wicks and CPSC found that some contained lead, however, tapers, commonly used as dinner candles, use cotton wicks and do not contain lead.

Lead poisoning in children is associated with behavioral problems, learning disabilities, hearing problems and growth retardation. Although the primary source of lead poisoning in the United States is lead from paint in older homes, lead accumulates in the body, and even exposure to small amounts of lead can contribute to the overall level of lead in the blood.

Safe alternatives to lead-cored wicks, including zinc, synthetic fibers, cotton and paper, are used by most candle and candle wick manufacturers. Currently, candles that use a metallic core in the wick most likely contain zinc. Because consumers cannot tell if a metal- cored wick contains lead or an alternative, consumers may wish to contact the retailer for information about the materials used in their candles.

The CPSC was petitioned to ban candlewicks containing lead cores and candles with such wicks by Public Citizen, the National Apartment Association, and National Multi Housing Council on February 20, 2001. The ban against manufacturing, importing, or selling candles with lead wicks will become effective in October 2003. 

Source: CPSC Press Release # 03-105, April 7, 2003 (www.cpsc.gov)

Candle Safety- important information about wicks—beware!

At HC our beeswax candles use environmentally friendly and safe square braid cotton wicks. The following quotation from the article entitled Killer Candles published by the Lead Advisory Service of NSW reveals how important it is that you choose candles with the proper wicks

"Candles sold in Australia have been found to have lead wicks which when burnt can cause lead poisoning or even death. Adelaide lead assessor Mike van Alphen found that these candles, all imported from China could release 500 to 1000 micrograms of lead per hour into the air."

The full article is available at www.lead.org.au. Please read it. The long term health of you and your children might be at stake.