The Burning Truth About Candle Safety

Something pretty disappointing I've heard in recent years of my life is that it's unhealthy to burn candles. I love candles. I love trying different candle brands (especially small candle businesses), I love giving and receiving candles as gifts, and I love the whole atmosphere they create. There are so many delightful fragrances that can curate a vibe, from fresh beachy scents to cozy holiday aromas and everything in between. Although I think candles are appropriate any time of year, there's something extra fitting about the colder months for burning candles. So, why, WHY, must people tell me that it's not healthy to burn candles? I decided to look deeper into this for myself, once and for all.

Do I Need to Get Rid of My Candles?

To be clear, our main focus it about air quality, not the open flame. A flame does, naturally, create risk of starting a fire, but that's not what we're talking about. You can read more about candles and fire danger here.

Candles do create air pollution, releasing volatile organic compounds (VOC) into the air, such as benzene and formaldehyde, which are known carcinogens. A carcinogen is a substance, organism, or agent with the potential to cause cancer. Now, this does sound scary, but you shouldn't stress too much. The concentration of these chemicals in candle emissions is very low and poses little risk of long-term health effects in people.

Air pollution can cause issues for some, especially those with respiratory issues. Air pollution from candles may cause symptoms such as headaches, respiratory issues, and watery eyes. If this is you, you may want to avoid candles. If you haven't had these issues, however, you're probably safe to continue enjoying your candles.

Smart Candle Choices for Cleaner Air

When you are burning candles, do so in a ventilated room. It can also be helpful to open a window after blowing your candle out to help improve the air quality. While some speculate that paraffin candles are more harmful (it comes from petroleum), there is currently no science that directly proves these candles are worse for you. So, if it gives you peace of mind, opt for candles made with soy or beeswax-based wax, but the science isn't damning against paraffin wax. You can also look for candles that use natural aromas and are waxes without any dyes or colorants.

Snuff Out Your Worries

At the end of the day, if burning candles sparks joy in your life, there’s no need to toss your cherished collection in the trash. Like most things, it's all about moderation and mindfulness. Be aware of your environment, ventilate your space, and consider choosing candles with cleaner ingredients if that makes you feel better. Life is all about enjoying the little things, and if a flickering flame and a cozy scent do that for you, then keep burning those candles (safely)!