Are scented candles bad for you? What the science says - [it depends?]

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Are scented candles bad for you? What the science says

CNN
By Kristen Rogers
November 29, 2024

If you’re a candle lover, you have probably seen some brands offer soy or beeswax versions as natural alternatives to typical wax options. But are conventional candles actually bad for you? And if they are, how much better could the ones marketed as “healthier” or “nontoxic” really be?

Concerns about the safety of candles are rooted in the chemical reactions that occur when you burn them, as well as in the artificial fragrances and colorants that contribute to the various scents you may love.

The candles of chief concern are those made from paraffin, which is a cheap byproduct primarily sourced from the refinement of petroleum. Paraffin is the most used candle wax worldwide, according to the National Candle Association, the major trade association representing US candle manufacturers and their suppliers.

Major retailers are failing to responsibility act on limiting toxic chemicals and plastics in the products they sell, a new report says.

However, few studies on candle emissions or their potential effects on human health exist, and conclusions from the research are mixed.

There is no overall conclusion that paraffin candles either will or won’t harm your health, said pulmonologist Dr. Sobia Farooq, a clinical assistant professor at the Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner College of Medicine.

But the risks may also depend on various factors including candle type and quality; how often and how long you’re burning it; the airflow in the space where you’re burning it; your health status; and more.

Below, experts share the science behind potentially harmful candle emissions, their concerns surrounding the lack of regulation, and ways to make the best decision for you.

(more)
https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/29/health/scented-candles-bad-for-you-research-wellness/index.html

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Interesting read ...
Quality of the candle
Heath conditions - (pregnant/children)
Duration and quantity of use
Ventilation and area size of the area of use

I'm not worried about it.
But, yes, never buy cheap Chinese/Taiwanese/India ... overseas candles.
They may be toxic, like everything else from over there.

[Smokin Joe]

I don't know.  I don't use them. I have a hard time breathing after walking through the candle aisle at Walmart (I avoid it). So any candles burned in my house are odorless.