According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air quality can be up to 25 times worse than the air outside, even in cities. This is due to the furniture paints and glues, household cleaners, perfumes, air fresheners, candles, etc., that are commonly found in offices, schools and households. The aforementioned items can contain phthalates and VOCs which aren't the greatest on the respiratory system (especially for those with asthma) and can contain hormone disruptors.
Believe it or not, even those pretty scented candles that many of us burn in our homes can be very toxic. Most candles on the market are made from petroleum-based paraffin wax that produce environmentally damaging soot riddled with an array of chemicals, and some of these may also contain metal-centered wicks which could be lead-based (especially those made outside of the U.S.).
The Journal of The LEAD (Lead Education and Abatement Design) Group did a study on scented candle emissions and the chemicals released by them when burned. They found a number of VOCs, carcinogens and, "significant quantities of aerosolized lead during combustion."
"The possible impacts on public health from consumer use of scented candles may include increased risk of cancer, neurological and behavioral deficits and acute aggravation of existing respiratory diseases such as asthma," states LEAD's report. (Read the full report here.)
The solution? Besides removing all petroleum-based candles from your home, there are other healthier, Earth friendlier options to try.
This article appears in Sep 22-28, 2011.