You’re going to love this blog post because I’m going to show you how to find out if your favorite scented candles are toxic. It’s a big problem that is only getting bigger and it could be affecting you or someone you know. The average candle has close to 400 chemicals, including lead, mercury, arsenic, formaldehyde, and other carcinogens! Now the good news is that there are ways for us all to make sure we don’t buy any of these terrible products. In this blog post, I’ll show you exactly what chemicals they use in those popular brands so next time you go shopping for a new candle (or anything else) at the store-you can avoid the toxic ones with no problem.
Phthalates
Phthalates have also been linked with obesity, reduced female fertility, preterm birth and low birth weight, a worsening of allergy and asthma symptoms, and altered toddler behavior. Other phthalates, like DiDP, have been linked to other types of birth defects.
Paraben
Scientific studies suggest that parabens can disrupt hormones in the body, harm fertility and reproductive organs, affect birth outcomes, and increase the risk of cancer.
Formaldehyde
When formaldehyde is present in the air at levels exceeding 0.1 ppm, some individuals may experience adverse effects such as watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; coughing; wheezing; nausea; and skin irritation.
Petroleum distillates
Prolonged exposure to petroleum distillates is known to cause skin drying or cracking, a condition known as dermatitis. … In addition to contact dermatitis, petroleum distillates are often contaminated with carcinogens which are absorbed through the skin, potentially leading to harmful levels of toxins in the body.
Limonene
Limonene degrades to various oxidation products which act as skin and respiratory irritants and sensitizers. d-Limonene has been designated as a chemical with low toxicity based upon lethal dose (LD50) and repeated-dose toxicity studies when administered orally to animals. However, skin irritation or sensitizing potential was reported following widespread use of this agent in various consumer products.
Ester
Large amounts of the ester can cause Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps/pain, or heartburn.
Acetaldehyde
Some of the acetaldehyde enters your blood, damaging your membranes and possibly causing scar tissue. It also leads to a hangover and can result in a faster heartbeat, a headache, or an upset stomach. The brain is most affected by acetaldehyde poisoning. It causes problems with brain activity and can impair memory.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Long-term health effects of exposure to PAHs may include cataracts, kidney and liver damage, and jaundice. Repeated skin contact with the PAH naphthalene can result in redness and inflammation of the skin. Breathing or swallowing large amounts of naphthalene can cause the breakdown of red blood cells.
Cored wicks
Many candles have cored wicks made from cotton that is wrapped around metal support. The design helps keep the candle centered in its holder, especially useful for scented waxes because it softens them and allows non-coring materials like fragrance oils to do their job without causing too much loss of scent or immersion into liquid bases which could lead you down an unpleasant path!
The No-Lead Test
To find out whether a candle has a lead wick, follow these steps:
- Look for a “lead-free” label when shopping for new candles.
- If you have a candle that has not been burned yet, rub the tip of the wick on a piece of paper. If it leaves a pencil-like gray mark, the wick contains a lead core. If you’ve already purchased the candle, take it back to the store and tell the manager why you’re demanding a refund.
- For candles that have already been burned, you should just throw out any that have metal cores as a precaution. Simply look at the tip of the wick and see if it has a metal core. If you still can’t tell, peel back some of the cotton.
That’s quite a list – I know!
When our health and our family’s health are at risk, we can never be too careful! Better safe than sorry! Always check the ingredients and opt for candles that do not contain any of these harmful chemicals. Never choose one with any of it – not even if it seems like the best fragrance you’ve ever come across with.
Aluminate Life Crystal-infused Candles use essential oils for fragrance. No synthetic scents. No dangerous chemicals. Only organic and natural ingredients so you can burn your candles safely around your loved ones.
