Scented candles are a popular holiday gift. Are safety fears overblown?
Global News
Social media is filled with posts warning about the hidden dangers of scented candles, claiming they release harmful chemicals into the air and can irritate the skin.
As the Christmas season unfolds, many are lighting their holiday candles to fill their homes with scents of gingerbread, fresh balsam and cinnamon swirl.
But behind the cozy flicker, is there a lingering toxin filling the air in your home?
Social media is filled with posts warning about the hidden dangers of scented candles, claiming they release harmful chemicals into the air and can irritate the skin, especially for those with sensitivities.
However, experts and studies suggest that many of these claims lack scientific evidence and may be fanning the flames of unnecessary fears about the risks associated with scented candles.
Candles do release chemicals into the air, just like other household supplies, like cooking fumes, air fresheners and cleaning supplies, explained Pamela Dalton, an odour perception and irritation researcher at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
“But I believe the fear is blown out of proportion,” she told Global News, adding that candles burn and release a “trivial concentration” of chemicals in the home.
Scented candles can release pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including benzene and formaldehyde, particle matter and carbon monoxide. Some candles with metal-core wicks can release lead when burned, Health Canada warned.
While lead exposure is a health concern (and Health Canada advises against lead-containing candles), Dalton noted that chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde in candle emissions may sound alarming but aren’t always as harmful as they seem.
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