Are Scented Candles Toxic?
There’s no denying the change, in the moment, that burning your favorite scented candle brings to your home. For centuries, candles (scented or not) have been a part of rituals, ceremonies, and people’s daily life, for those living in areas with poor access to electricity. Being an active social media user, I have seen an uptick of scented candles, among many other consumables being demonized by the Wellness space, and I am seeing how these demonizing is making people more anxious, and mentally exhausted. Misusing the word “toxic” and spreading chemophobia without having basic fundamental knowledge and understanding of Chemistry isn’t helping anyone.
Let’s Dive in!
Starting with some definitions and then the bigger picture that will help to bring clarity to a rather nuanced topic.
Toxic: The extent to which something is poisonous or harmful
Toxin: Substances secreted by plants and animals that are poisonous or harmful to humans (and their predators).
Toxicity: The extent to which a substance is harmful or poisonous.
The word “toxic” hold no true meaning when used out of context, and this is because any substance/chemical can be toxic based on factors we MUST consider. When we talk about toxin and toxicity, we must consider
The chemical/compound in question
The route of exposure. The route or delivery refers to how the chemical gets into our body for it to become toxic. Was it inhaled, swallowed, applied topically to the skin, injected intravenously? If a product is meant to be applied topically but is inadvertently swallowed, then, it can be classed as toxic in that context.
The length of exposure
The level or amount of the substance that is being exposed.
There’s no scientific evidence to showing or linking scented candles to toxicity based on how we use then in our daily lives, and this is not me trying to make a sale, I am saying telling you this, to ease your mind and remove whatever anxiety you may have around this topic.
For a scented candle to become toxic to you, the user, you would have to ingest it (route of exposure), burn the candle for longer than the recommended 4 hours in poor or no ventilation, which would raise the potential for pollutants in the air (route and length), and also, your individual sensitivity (if you have any) to fragrances and soot.
Here’s something I always share with customers, FOLLOW THE CANDLE BURNING INSTRUCTIONS, because when a product is used as intended and as instructed, the user should and will be ok. If you are concerned about exposure to chemical pollutants, I suggest purchasing candles that are not massed produced, and dye free. Purchase candles from small or local candle artisans who try to source better quality materials for their candles. Though this will mean you spending more on a candle, you can rest assured you are in control of your purchasing choices. Candles made without parafin wax and dyes will have less pollutant than those made with. This blog post from Candle Science gives a breakdown of the differences.
Here at By Thompson, I use Coconut Apricot Wax to make my candles and all are free of dyes.
“Frankly, the science isn’t strong enough to suggest we should stop buying and burning candles. In fact, we engage in far higher-risk activities everyday. Indoor cooking increases the particulate matter in the air and has been linked to respiratory illnesses. A scented candle simple isn’t dangerous, by comparison” Dr Farooq, MD, Pulmonologist. Read the entire article here. Longer duration of exposure, frequency in burning and poor ventilation leads to irritation in individuals with pre-existing cardiopulmonary conditions. So those vulnerable must weigh the risks if they choose to enjoy a scented candle.
However, when used correctly, scented candles are safe.