Candles and children

Lighting a candle at home to celebrate a birthday, get in the mood for Christmas or even to save a bit on your next power bill is a nice thing to do. Children are often drawn to the magic of the flame and enjoy the sense that something special is happening. Apart from the usual hazards of an open flame near children there have been reports over the last few years that candles literally create a special atmosphere at home - a toxic one.

Some compare the fumes created by burning paraffin candles to those of second hand smoking. Just how dangerous candle smoke is to humans remains unclear, but many common types of candles release toxins such as benzene and toluene when they are lit. It is believed that the soot from paraffin candles can also cause respiratory problems or could negatively affect people who already have asthma, lung, or heart problems.

The most common type of candles uses paraffin, a waste product of the petroleum industry which is then treated with a range of chemicals to create candle wax or gels with various properties (smells, colours, etc). Researchers at South Carolina State University recently tested various candles to determine their emissions. They found that paraffin-based candles emitted toxic chemicals like toluene and benzene. They also tested other types of candles that are not based on paraffin such as soy, coconut oil and beeswax candles which didn't release the toxins.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 40 percent of candles on the market contain lead wires inside their wicks. Candles with a lead-core wick release five times the amount of lead considered hazardous for children and exceeds EPA pollution standards for outdoor air. Apparently exposure to high amounts of lead has been linked to hormone disruption, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and numerous health problems.

So there you go - who would have known that something beautiful and seemingly harmless as burning a candle at home can potentially have such a negative effect on our children.

Most reports about the potentially hazardous effects of burning candles indoors are quick to state that lighting the odd candle here and there is unlikely to cause any lasting damage. However frequent use of candles indoors over a long period may have negative health effects.

Fortunately we have a choice - next time you go out to buy candles have a look around for paraffin free candles - most of them tend to be made of soy, natural / vegetable oils, nut oils or beeswax. The burn cleanly and tend to give off a pleasant scent. In some cases you can even find "do it yourself" kits to make beeswax candles - another great project to get under way with your children.

Enjoy

-Stef