The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that burning paraffin candles emit small but harmful amounts of toxins in the air (such as benzene and toluene, affirmed human carcinogens) and are considered above the excess cancer risk with multiple exposures. 

Petro-soot from paraffin candles gives off the same soot as the exhaust of a diesel engine, and is considered just as dangerous as second hand smoke, causing problems from headaches to lung cancer. While medical information is incomplete, regarding the short-term and long-term effects, paraffin fumes have been found to cause tumors in the kidneys and livers of lab animals. 


According to California’s safe drinking water and toxic enforcement act of 1986 there are up to twenty toxins in paraffin candle wax, including methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and naphthalene--substances which are found in paint, lacquer and varnish removers. 

The oil industry, which not only sells their by-products to the candle industry but also has four members sitting on the board of the National Candle Association, has assumed a very dominant position in the candle manufacturing business. 


In 2005, when the American Lung Association issued a warning to the public about the dangers of paraffin the National Candle Association (NCA) threatened them with legal action. The NCA has also sent letters to others who tried to warn the public. 

Fact: Paraffin is made from leftover residue of the final petroleum refining process. Most candles on the market are made from paraffin and may contain other chemical additives in the dyes and fragrances that can be toxic when inhaled. The type of wick and inclusion of any synthetic fragrant oil scents and/or dyes increase the amount of particulates, volatile compounds, and soot released into the air anytime you have a flame and combustion. 

Candle makers are using increasing amounts of (often artificial) fragrance oils into their wax mixtures, some of which are not even suitable for combustion. Too much fragrance, in “triple scented candles” can cause the candle wick to mushroom, smoke when burned, and could even cause the candle itself to combust causing shooting flames eight inches above the candle. Excessive amounts of fragrance oil contribute to soot (referred to as ghosting, carbon tracking, carbon tracing, and dirty house syndrome ) a concern when candles are burned indoors, it leaves reside on walls and furniture. Ever notice the black soot on the Yankee Candle jars? 


Most commercially manufactured fragrances are formulated in a petroleum base, which are toxic properties when burned. Some scented candles have been found to emit these toxins- acetone, trichlorofluoromethane, carbon disulfide, 2- butanone, 1, 1, 1-trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, chlorobenzene, ethylbenzene, styrene, xylene, phenol, cresol, cyclopentene, lead, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and soot. 

Fact: Many wicks have a metal core, containing zinc, tin or lead which emit harmful toxins into the air and can cause lead exposure as particles of lead do volatilize during normal candle burning. (Manufacturers are not required to disclose lead content.) The small particulate matter can irritate and damage the lungs, causing breathing problems, in particular affecting those with asthma or some type of lung or heart disease. Preliminary wipe test results show 40mg of lead per sq. ft. in a home that burned a number of lead core wick candles, an astounding amount for a substance for which there is no safe level. 100% of lead that is inhaled is absorbed into the bloodstream. 

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) warned about the danger of metal core wicks (especially lead) as in the early 1970s. The candle industry agreed to voluntarily stop using lead or other metals in the wicks. However, 26 years later the University of Michigan took random samplings and found about 30 percent of the candles tested from the United States and overseas still used the lead wicks which release more lead into the air than is recommended as safe by the EPA. The study also showed the amounts of lead in the air increased the longer the candles burned. 

Fact: The candle industry, which is not regulated by the government and candle manufacturers is not required to list or disclose hazardous, toxic or carcinogenic compounds used as ingredients in their products or even place warning labels on their products regarding lead content and emissions so reading the label might not help. 


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Benefits of Soy Candles- 


A healthier alternative to traditional paraffin candles, “all natural” soy candles, made from 100%, with no fillers or partial blends of other waxes. Soy fragrance oils are also made in an all natural soybean oil base. 

Biodegradable 
· Skin safe- Can actually be used on skin for dry hands and cracked heels. Won’t dry out. 
· Water-soluble, it won’t ruin carpet or clothes. Spills clean up easily with soap and water. 
· 100% lead free cotton and paper wicks, without a metallic core means fewer toxins, such as lead, zinc or tin, into the air you breathe. 

Non-toxic and non carcinogenic, this all natural renewable source of wax burns cleaner. 
· 90% less soot than paraffin candles. 
· no black smoke to darken walls or ceiling nor the black soot that you see on many candle jars. 
· no toxins, such as lead that paraffin candles can emit. 

Soy candles melt at a lower temperature 
· evenly across, unlike which paraffin wax candles which burns hole all the way down 
· wax gets warm but not hot so it won’t burn children. (While the flame from a wick could burn a child wickless soy candles on a candle warmer are a great choice.) 
· With OSHA laws, most offices won’t allow a candle to be burned but will allow wickless candles on candle warmers to avoid fire danger. 
· lasts up to three times longer than a paraffin candle allowing the candle's fragrance to fill the air and hold their wonderful scent longer than their paraffin counterparts.