Chloe Adams
Candles are made from a variety of materials, and the type of wax used can vary depending on its purpose and the ingredients available. The most common types of candle wax are beeswax, paraffin, soy, and vegetable. Beeswax is an organic compound secreted by bees and is the most traditional candle-making method. Paraffin wax, on the other hand, is derived from petroleum refining and is the most frequently used candle fuel globally. Soy wax is a plant-based option, while vegetable wax is an alternative to animal wax, made from plant-based oils. Synthetic waxes are also used in candles, but they tend to contain more chemical ingredients, leading to increased soot production and potentially toxic emissions. The choice of wax influences the burning characteristics and emissions of a candle, with some candles producing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during combustion.
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What You'll Learn
Beeswax is an organic compound secreted by bees
Beeswax is a complex chemical mixture secreted by bees from the abdominal wax glands of honeybees. Bees between 12 and 18 days old secrete beeswax as a liquid, which hardens when it comes into contact with air. The wax is used to make the foundation and honeycomb hexagonal cells used for raising the brood and storing honey and pollen. The wax cells are used to cradle larvae, and the entire wax foundation supports the mass of working bees.
Beeswax is formed by worker bees, which secrete it from eight wax-producing mirror glands on the inner sides of the sternites (the ventral shield or plate of each segment of the body) on abdominal segments 4 to 7. The sizes of these wax glands depend on the age of the worker bee. Wax glands on the underside of the abdomens of young bees secrete small wax platelets, which are scraped off by the bee, chewed, and masticated into pliable pieces with the addition of saliva and a variety of enzymes. The ambient temperature in the hive must be between 33 and 36 degrees Celsius for the bees to secrete wax.
The wax is strong, and its colour varies from nearly white to brownish, but it is most often a shade of yellow, depending on purity, region, and the type of flowers gathered by the bees. The wax from the brood comb of the honey bee hive tends to be darker than wax from the honeycomb because impurities accumulate more quickly in the brood comb. The purest beeswax is that which has recently been secreted: in "cappings" with which cells have been sealed, and in recently built combs.
Beeswax has been used since prehistory as the first plastic, as a lubricant and waterproofing agent, in lost wax casting of metals and glass, as a polish for wood and leather, for making candles, as an ingredient in cosmetics, and as an artistic medium in encaustic painting. It is also used in lip balm, hand creams, salves, moisturisers, and in cosmetics such as eye shadow, blush, eyeliner, moustache wax, and hair pomade. In oil spill control, beeswax is processed to create a product that can absorb oil or petroleum-based pollutants from water.
Candles can be made from beeswax, and they can also contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, it is important to note that the emissions from burning candles do not contribute significantly to the daily intake of these compounds.
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Paraffin wax is a type of petroleum wax
Paraffin wax, also known as petroleum wax, is a soft, colourless solid derived from petroleum, coal, or oil shale. It consists of a mixture of hydrocarbon molecules containing between 20 and 40 carbon atoms. Paraffin wax is solid at room temperature and has a melting point between 37°C and 68°C, depending on the specific composition. It becomes a liquid above this temperature and has a boiling point of over 370°C.
Paraffin wax was first created by German chemist Karl (or Carl) von Reichenbach in 1830 through the separation and refinement of waxy substances found in petroleum. However, it was not produced commercially until 1867, less than a decade after the first petroleum well was drilled. Paraffin wax was a significant advancement in candle-making technology as it burned more cleanly and reliably than tallow candles and beeswax, and was also cheaper to produce. The production of paraffin wax increased in the early 20th century due to the growth of the oil and meatpacking industries, which created paraffin as a byproduct.
The process of making paraffin wax involves removing the oil from slack wax, a mixture of oil and wax that is a byproduct of refining lubricating oil. This can be done by heating the slack wax, mixing it with a solvent, and then cooling it, causing the wax to crystallize out of the solution. The mixture is then filtered into solid and liquid streams, and the solvent is recovered through distillation. The resulting product is known as "product wax" or "press wax". Paraffin wax can be further processed to remove colours and odours, and it can be blended to achieve desired properties such as melting point and penetration.
Paraffin wax has a variety of applications, including lubrication, electrical insulation, and candle-making. It is also used in cosmetics, polishes, and wax paper. However, there are concerns about the environmental impact of paraffin wax due to its association with non-renewable fossil fuels. Additionally, there are debates about the potential health effects of burning paraffin wax candles, with some studies suggesting that they release toxic fumes linked to asthma and lung cancer, while others find no evidence of benzene or other toxic chemicals.
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Soy wax is a plant-based alternative
Candles are made from wax, which can be derived from a variety of sources, both natural and synthetic. Natural waxes are derived from renewable sources, while synthetic waxes are sourced from petroleum. Natural waxes are becoming increasingly popular due to their sustainability and versatility.
Soy wax, derived from soybean oil, is one such plant-based alternative. It is a popular choice for candle makers and consumers alike due to its versatility, affordability, and environmental benefits. Soy wax has a relatively low melting point, making it easier to work with and providing a softer consistency for candles. It also has excellent adhesion properties, making it ideal for use in candles, lip balms, and other personal care products.
One of the main advantages of soy wax is its reduced environmental impact compared to synthetic or animal-based waxes. It is 100% biodegradable, breaking down naturally without leaving harmful residues. In contrast, paraffin wax, a traditional candle wax, takes centuries to decompose. Soy wax production has a lower carbon footprint than paraffin wax, as it does not require petroleum extraction and refining. Soy plants also absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, helping to offset greenhouse gas emissions.
Soy wax is a renewable resource, and its use promotes sustainable farming practices. It burns cleanly, without releasing toxins or soot, and provides a longer burn time than paraffin wax. To enhance the performance of soy wax candles, manufacturers may add additives or blend it with other plant-based waxes, such as coconut wax, to improve scent diffusion and adjust texture.
In addition to soy wax, there are other plant-based waxes available for candle making, such as coconut wax, olive wax, and rapeseed wax. These waxes offer unique characteristics, such as varying melting points, textures, and burn times. The growing demand for vegan and cruelty-free alternatives has driven the exploration of plant-based waxes, providing environmentally friendly options that do not compromise efficacy or sustainability.
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Vegetable wax is made from plant-based oils
Candles are made from wax, which is a diverse class of organic compounds that are lipophilic and malleable solids near ambient temperatures. They typically have melting points above approximately 40°C (104°F) and melt to give low-viscosity liquids. Natural waxes are produced by plants and animals and occur in petroleum. They consist of long aliphatic alkyl chains and may contain aromatic compounds.
Vegetable wax is a type of natural wax derived from plant-based oils. It is produced from refined vegetable oils, which are abundantly available. The use of refining and modifying technologies, along with skillful blending, allows manufacturers to produce a wide range of melting points, crystallization behaviors, colors, and textures. Vegetable waxes are non-toxic, biodegradable, and contain no animal-derived substances. They blend well with other types of wax, especially paraffin waxes, although some experimentation and testing are usually required to ensure optimum results.
Vegetable waxes have become an attractive alternative to paraffin and other mineral hydrocarbon waxes due to their cost-effectiveness, natural qualities, and sustainability. The primary source of waxes has been mineral hydrocarbons, but volatile market conditions and uncertain availability have driven the search for alternative sources. Vegetable oils are a promising option due to their abundance and inherent biodegradability.
The most common method for obtaining vegetable oil-based waxes is partial or full hydrogenation. However, additional structure modifications are often necessary to achieve the desired physical and thermal properties for specific applications. For example, chemical modifications can be used to introduce functional groups and change the physical properties of the wax.
Some common types of vegetable waxes include carnauba wax, jojoba oil, candelilla wax, ouricury wax, castor wax, esparto wax, Japan wax, rice bran wax, and tallow tree wax. These waxes have various applications, such as coatings, lubricants, cosmetics, and candle-making.
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Candle emissions contain organic compounds but do not contribute significantly to daily intake
Candles are made from different types of waxes and finishing materials, and their combustion releases various compounds into the air. These include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), dibenzofurans (PCDF), chlorinated pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). While these compounds can be harmful, their concentrations from candle emissions are relatively low and do not significantly contribute to the daily intake of these compounds.
The emissions from burning candles can contain a complex mixture of organic compounds, which are typically analysed using specialised chambers that collect the exhaust fumes under controlled burning conditions. By doing so, scientists can quantify the levels of these compounds and assess their potential impact on human health.
To evaluate the impact of candle emissions on human exposure to these organic compounds, researchers have developed exposure models. These models simulate different scenarios to calculate the inhalative uptake of these compounds by adults. The results indicate that even with multiple candles burning simultaneously in a small room, the concentrations of PCDD, PCDF, benzo(a)pyrene, and VOCs remain below 1% of the tolerable limit values for workplaces.
While candle emissions do contain organic compounds, the additional exposure from burning candles does not significantly affect the total daily intake of these compounds. This suggests that the contribution of candle emissions to overall exposure is relatively minor and may not pose a significant health risk. However, it is important to note that prolonged exposure to any source of indoor air pollution, including candle emissions, could potentially have cumulative effects on health over time.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles are made of wax, a wick, and sometimes colourants and fragrances. The four most common types of candle wax are beeswax, paraffin, soy, and vegetable.
It depends on the candle. Beeswax is an organic compound secreted by bees. Soy and vegetable waxes are plant-based and can be considered organic as well. However, paraffin wax is derived from petroleum, and synthetic candles may contain more chemical ingredients.
Yes, candles made with organic compounds may be healthier. Candles with synthetic waxes tend to produce more soot and potentially toxic emissions.
Candles made with organic compounds like beeswax, soy, or vegetable wax are natural, eco-friendly, and vegan. They are also less likely to produce toxic emissions and soot.
It depends on the brand and the type of candle, but generally, candles made with organic compounds may be more expensive due to the higher-quality ingredients and longer burn times.
