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Scented candles could cause major health problems if these precautions are not taken

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Many of us like to live in a clean and hospitable home. Sometimes, to make it a welcoming and unique place, we like to personalize it with scents and colors of our taste. For example, many buy scented candles (or even many make them themselves) which create a homely atmosphere, releasing a good scent for the home. Yet greater awareness and better information on these apparently harmless products would be needed. In fact, care must be taken because scented candles used at home could cause important health problems if these precautions are not taken.

The chemical history of a candle

Christmas lectures have been held at the Royal Institute in the city of Westminster in England since 1825. One of the initiators of this tradition was the scientist Michael Faraday. In 1848, Faraday gave a cycle of six talks in which he talked about the chemistry and physics of candles. This famous series of encounters is remembered as ā€œThe Chemical History of a Candleā€. In it there is an in-depth analysis on combustion, on what are the chemical elements necessary for it to occur and what is the role of water in this process.

Obviously, his interest as a scientist was focused on an object, candles, used extensively in homes and churches: it was therefore a subject that everyone knew from an empirical point of view. Those lessons are a perfect example of how science should be taught.

Scented candles could cause major health problems if these precautions are not taken

In the preparation of scented candles, fragrances and dyes are often added. Once made volatile (thanks to combustion) they are introduced into the body through respiration. Numerous studies have investigated which volatile compounds are released following the consumption of scented candles. These compounds vary widely, from potentially carcinogenic to harmless ones. Just to make a quick list, you can find aldehydes, aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene or toluene, formaldehyde, CO2, PM10.

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People exposed to scented candles may complain of dizziness, headache, mucosal irritation, breathing problems, and dry or sore throats. The aromatic hydrocarbons we saw in the previous list are associated with bladder cancer and possible DNA modifications.

As reported in an article published a couple of years ago (Adamowicz J et al, 2019), the levels of combustion products have never exceeded a dangerous threshold. However, these results may vary depending on the number of candles lit at the same time and the size of the room. Considering that scented candles are generally lit in small rooms such as bathrooms and bedrooms, it is wise to be cautious.

Some advice on how to choose and use them

The advice to overcome these risks is simple: the room should be ventilated after using scented candles to eliminate the accumulated chemicals generated during combustion. We should pay attention to the quality of the scented candles used and try to avoid those of poor quality based on paraffin or artificial substances. We should also always carefully read the labels where the risk indications should be reported (it goes without saying that the lack of labels is already a sign of poor spark plug control).

(We remind you to carefully read the warnings regarding this article, which can be consulted WHO”)

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