Before the advent of electricity, candles were used primarily for lighting. Light served as a symbol of the good and the beautiful – especially in times of emotional and spiritual darkness – and the way humans relate to light is emotional, almost sensual.

Today, candles are used primarily for their aesthetic value and scent, to create a soft, warm or romantic atmosphere, and for emergency lighting during power outages. Scented candles are often used as a vehicle for aromatherapy.

No matter how you look at it, candles are BIG business. Here are some interesting and “illuminating” statistics:

* Candles are used in 7 out of 10 US households.

* Most consumers burn candles 1 to 3 times a week and half of these consumers burn 1 to 2 candles at a time.

* In 2006, the US candle market was estimated at $ 2.3 billion.

* 96% of all candles purchased are purchased by women.

The prevalence of candles in our homes is obvious. The real question is how much do you know about the type of candles you are buying and their potential impact on the indoor air quality of your home?

Lead wicks can cause problems

According to a study conducted about 8 years ago by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 40% of candles on the market still contained conductive wires within their wicks. This is an alarming statistic in light of the fact that the US candle-making industry voluntarily agreed to cease production of lead-containing candles in 1974, once lead wick burning was shown to lead concentration in indoor air increased.

A candle with a lead core wick has been shown to release five times the amount of lead considered hazardous to children and exceed EPA pollution standards for outdoor air.

Lead, along with other metals such as zinc, is used to stiffen candle wicks so that they remain straight when the surrounding wax begins to melt. The metal prevents the wick from falling off and extinguishing as soon as the wax no longer supports it. Although zinc is considered to be much less toxic than lead, very little is known about the long-term effects of breathing zinc in the dust or fumes released by burning it.

The soot that is everywhere

Another inherent problem with burning lead-wick candles (especially those made from paraffin wax, a by-product of petroleum) is a phenomenon called black soot deposition. Frequent candle lighting is now believed to be one of the sources of black soot in the home. The amount of soot produced can vary greatly from candle to candle. One type of candle can produce up to 100 times more soot than another type. The type of soot can also vary. Although it is composed primarily of elemental carbon, candle soot can include phthalates, lead, and other toxic ingredients such as benzene and tulene.

When soot is in the air, it can be inhaled. The particles can potentially penetrate the deeper areas of the lungs and lower respiratory tract causing respiratory problems and aggravating existing asthma, lung or heart conditions. Left unchecked, the soot from the regular burning of paraffin candles can also cause significant damage to the interior of your home, your computers, appliances, and ducts.

Synthetic scented candles are believed to be a major source of soot because the chemicals used in “fragrance” oils tend to soften the wax, increasing the need to add metals to the wicks to harden them. They are also likely the main source of phthalates in soot.

The good news …

The good news is that there are ways to enjoy burning candles without routinely exposing yourself to harmful toxins. Here’s how you can avoid the problem:

1. Make sure new candles you buy do not have lead in the wicks. Look for labels that say “lead free” or “clean burn without core.” If you are unsure, you can perform a simple test by rubbing the tip of the wick on a piece of paper. If you leave a pencil-gray mark, the wick contains lead.

2. Buy candles made with 100% beeswax or 100% vegetable wax. Because these waxes are more expensive, many manufacturers tend to mix them with paraffin. Avoid mixed wax candles. Look for labels that state that they are 100% pure

3. To reduce soot regardless of the type of candle you burn, keep the wicks trimmed and do not burn candles near a draft.

4. For aromatherapy candles, buy candles scented with only pure essential oils. Soy candles are best for this purpose, as they are clean, slow-burning, and long-lasting with a superior odor (dispersion). Containerized soy candles can also melt if placed on an electric warming plate. This eliminates the soot-generating combustion that comes from direct burning of the wicks and allows sufficient release of the aromas.

Copyright 2009 Dropwise Essentials