Ben Carter
Candles are a popular way to create a cosy atmosphere and cover up bad smells, but they can also negatively impact the air quality in your home. Burning candles release hydrocarbons, carcinogens, and other toxins into the air, including toluene, benzene, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde. These emissions can be comparable to diesel fuel emissions and can contaminate your ventilation system and discolour walls and ceilings. While the impact on health is debated, these toxins can cause issues for people with asthma and allergies, and lead particles in the candle wick can be dangerous for young children. However, there are ways to minimise these risks, such as choosing beeswax or soy candles, using air filters, and ensuring proper ventilation when burning candles.
How bad are candles for air quality?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Release of hydrocarbons | Burning candles releases hydrocarbons, chemical compounds consisting of hydrogen and carbon, into the air. |
| Health risks | While burning candles do release hydrocarbons, it is not enough to pose a significant health risk to most people. |
| Release of toxins | When burned, candles release carcinogenic toxins such as benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein. |
| Scented candles | Scented candles are worse offenders and release harmful chemicals into the air, even when unlit. |
| Paraffin candles | Paraffin wax candles are made from petroleum, which releases toxins when burned. They are the most common type of candle. |
| Alternative candles | Beeswax and soy candles are alternatives that burn cleaner and produce less soot than paraffin candles. |
| Proper ventilation | Burning candles in a well-ventilated room can help reduce the impact on air quality. |
| Candle wicks | Metal-core wicks release trace amounts of heavy metals into the air when burned. |
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What You'll Learn
Paraffin candles are the worst offenders
Paraffin wax is a by-product of petroleum, which releases all sorts of toxins when burned. These toxins include acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The emissions from paraffin candles contain many of the same toxins produced by burning diesel fuel.
Paraffin candles are the most common type of candle on the market, and they are also the worst offenders when it comes to air quality. When burned, they release carcinogenic toxins such as benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein. These toxins can contaminate ventilation systems and discolour walls and ceilings.
In addition to the toxins released, burning a candle wick releases smoke soot that can take days to settle out of the air. This soot can build up on vents and ducts, which can then be redistributed into the home through the HVAC system.
The effects of these toxins on personal health can include aggravating asthma, causing allergy-like symptoms, and irritating the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. They can also cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, and anxiety.
To minimize the negative impact of paraffin candles on air quality, it is recommended to trim candle wicks to a quarter of an inch or less to minimize smoke and soot. It is also important to ensure proper ventilation when burning candles and to avoid burning them continuously for more than one hour.
Alternative types of candles, such as beeswax or soy candles, are recommended as they burn cleaner and produce less soot.
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Beeswax and soy candles are safer alternatives
While candles can be a great way to create a cosy atmosphere and provide a pleasant aroma, they can also impact the air quality in your home. When burned, candles release various vapours and particles into the air, including carcinogenic toxins such as benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein. The emissions from paraffin candles, in particular, have been found to contain many of the same toxins produced by burning diesel fuel. As a result, lighting multiple candles in an unventilated space can aggravate asthma and cause allergy-like symptoms.
However, this doesn't mean that you need to give up candles altogether. Beeswax and soy candles are safer alternatives that can improve the air quality in your home. Unlike paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum, beeswax is a natural, renewable resource that does not release toxic byproducts when burned. Beeswax candles burn with a sweet and natural aroma, free from synthetic fragrances, making them ideal for individuals with sensitivities or allergies. They also produce a brighter, cleaner flame with less soot and have a lower melting point, reducing the risk of accidental burns.
The purported air-purifying properties of beeswax candles are attributed to the release of negative ions into the air. These negative ions are believed to have a positive impact on air quality as they help remove pollutants such as dust, mould spores, and allergens. While scientific evidence specifically regarding the impact of burning beeswax candles on indoor air quality is limited, they are still considered a healthier and safer choice compared to paraffin wax candles.
Soy candles are another alternative to paraffin wax candles. Soy candles have been shown to produce less soot than paraffin candles, making them a suitable option for individuals with asthma or allergies. If you notice irritation when burning scented soy candles, it is recommended to switch to unscented varieties.
To further improve the air quality in your home, ensure proper ventilation, regular cleaning, and minimise the use of chemical-based products. Additionally, follow best practices for candle burning, such as trimming the wick, avoiding containers with narrow openings, and limiting continuous burning to one hour.
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Burning candles releases hydrocarbons
The oxygen-rich blue zone is where the hydrocarbon molecules vaporize and begin to break apart into hydrogen and carbon atoms. The hydrogen reacts with the oxygen to form water vapour, and some of the carbon burns to form carbon dioxide. In the dark orange/brown region, there is relatively little oxygen, and various forms of carbon continue to break down and form small, hardened carbon particles. As they rise, they are heated to approximately 1000 degrees Centigrade, and at the bottom of the yellow zone, the formation of carbon soot particles increases. These particles continue to heat up until they ignite and emit a full spectrum of visible light, which is perceived as yellowish by the human eye.
While burning candles does release hydrocarbons, it is important to note that this does not pose a significant health risk. However, it is recommended to choose candles wisely and burn them responsibly. Paraffin wax candles, in particular, are made from petroleum, which releases toxins such as acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into the air when burned. Scented candles can also release a large number of toxic chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as aromatic hydrocarbons, alkane hydrocarbons, and aldehydes.
To minimize the impact of candle burning on air quality, it is advisable to opt for beeswax or soy candles, which burn cleaner than paraffin wax. Beeswax candles can even help to clean the air by releasing negative ions that bind with toxins. Additionally, ensuring proper ventilation when burning candles can help to reduce the concentration of pollutants in the air.
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Lower-quality candles emit more toxins
Burning candles release hydrocarbons into the air, but the amount is not enough to pose a significant health risk to most people. However, it is important to choose candles wisely and burn them responsibly.
The type of candle you choose matters a lot. Candles are typically made from paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum. When burned, paraffin wax releases a host of toxins, including acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These toxins are similar to those produced by burning diesel fuel. Scented candles, in particular, can be problematic as fragrances often contain harmful chemicals such as phthalates, toluene, benzyl acetate, limonene acetone, and phenol. Therefore, paraffin wax candles are considered bad for indoor air quality.
Lower-quality candles tend to emit more toxins and particulate matter, so it is recommended to invest in higher-quality candles that burn slowly. Additionally, some alternative types of wax are less harmful. For example, beeswax candles release negative ions that bind with toxins and help remove them from the air, and they have a natural honey scent. Soy candles burn at a lower temperature, allowing them to last longer than paraffin wax candles, and they produce less soot. Palm oil candles also burn cleanly, but the environmental impact of palm tree plantations is a concern. While these alternatives are better, they are not without their drawbacks, and even the healthiest candles can be dangerous if mishandled.
To minimize the negative impact of burning candles, there are several precautions you can take. Firstly, ensure proper ventilation in the room by opening windows or using air filters. Trim candle wicks to a quarter of an inch or less to minimize smoke and soot production. Choose candles without thick wicks or wire cores, opting instead for thin, braided wicks that curl over when burned. Avoid candles in containers with narrow openings, as they can cause unsteady airflow. Instead, use freestanding candles on plates to catch wax drippings. Finally, extinguish candles after one hour of continuous burning and allow them to cool before relighting.
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Ventilation helps to reduce contaminants
Burning candles, especially paraffin candles, can release carcinogenic toxins such as benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein, as well as soot, into the air. These emissions contain many of the same toxins produced by burning diesel fuel.
Ventilation is a crucial strategy to reduce indoor contaminants and improve air quality. By introducing fresh outdoor air, ventilation helps to dilute and remove indoor airborne pollutants, reducing the level of contaminants. Natural ventilation, such as opening windows and doors, is one of the best ways to increase ventilation and improve indoor air quality. However, it is important to be mindful of outdoor air quality, especially if you live near sources of outdoor air pollution, such as busy highways or industrial facilities.
In addition to natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation systems can also be employed. These include outdoor-vented fans, exhaust fans, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Spot ventilation, such as using exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, helps to remove moisture, gases, and contaminants from specific locations. On the other hand, dilution ventilation addresses low-level contamination throughout the home by bringing in outdoor air and circulating it to reach all areas.
It is important to note that ventilation alone may not be sufficient to address high levels of indoor air pollution. Other strategies, such as eliminating or reducing individual sources of pollution, can be employed alongside ventilation to effectively improve indoor air quality and reduce contaminants.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, burning candles release hydrocarbons and carcinogenic toxins such as benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein into the air. They also produce soot composed of particulate matter that can remain suspended in the air for hours.
Paraffin wax candles are the worst for air quality as they are made from petroleum, which releases nasty toxins when burned. Scented candles are also worse than unscented candles.
Yes, beeswax and soy candles are safer alternatives to paraffin wax candles as they burn cleaner and release fewer toxins.
To reduce the negative impact of candles on air quality, ensure there is proper ventilation in the room. You can also trim the wick to 1/4 inch before lighting and use freestanding candles on a plate to avoid wax drippings.
Yes, you can use humidifiers, air purifiers, and HEPA filters to improve the air quality in your home.
