Health Risks With Paraffin Wax Candles

The health risks of burning paraffin wax candles have caused many people to reconsider using candles made from older and more traditional materials. Paraffin today is less natural, and more toxic, than the alternatives. The risks have also stimulated research and use of newer types of materials.

History

• In the 1850s, paraffin wax was introduced into candle making. Previously, candles were made from animal tallow, which had been replaced by beeswax candles. The ancient Egyptians used lights very similar to candles made from animal fat. These early candles did not have a wick, which was a later contribution of the ancient Romans. Bayberries and spermaceti, derived from sperm whale oil, have also been used in candle making.

Description

• Paraffin was developed by separating a waxy substance from petroleum to be used for candle making. It is less expensive than other types of wax, making it also the most widely used type. It is available in powder form or as chunks. The wax may come pre-colored, or in a neutral color so that it can be dyed by the candle maker. Stearin and beeswax are the next most commonly used waxes for candle making.

Risks

• Paraffin lamp oil burned during holidays has posed risks of aspiration and pneumonitis, according to a study published in Volume 113 Issue 4 of the journal Pediatrics. A yellow flame on a candle can signal soot being released into the atmosphere. The soot often contains toxic chemicals such as naphthalene, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene and benzene. This soot can settle on walls, electronic devices and other surfaces in homes. The pollution generated in the home poses a health risk because they can penetrate deep into the lungs to cause illness.

Studies

• In a study published in Volume 79 Number 8 of the Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, soot was produced from burning paraffin candles. However, soywax candles burned at a slower rate and produced little to no soot. The fumes of the burning paraffin contained trace amounts of formaldehyde, as well. In recent years, soywax has become a popular alternative to paraffin wax candles. In the study, their potential was compared to the properties of beeswax candles.

Alternatives

• Beeswax is one of the earliest forms of wax used for candles. It is produced from the glands of honeybees. Beeswax is better for the air because it has the ability to emit negative ions that actually clean rather than pollute the air. Stearin, which isn't really a wax but has similar properties, is used for candle making. Originally, stearin came from animal fat, but now is often made from vegetables. Soy wax was developed by Michael Richards in the early 1990s and sold to Cargill. It is now used for candle making, coating paper, and cosmetics. Bayberry shrubs once provided berries for the production of candles, but processing the wax from the berries quickly proved time-consuming during the colonial American period.