Are Candles Bad For You? Myths And Potential Side Effects

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Are Candles Bad For You? Myths, Science, and More

Medically reviewed by Angelica Balingit, MD — Written by Daniel Yetman — Updated on September 19, 2024

What the science says
Scented candles
Soy candles
Healthiest candles
Takeaway

There’s some debate about whether burning candles is bad for your health. Some people claim that candles release potentially harmful toxins.

Long before the invention of the light bulb, candles and lanterns were our main light sources.

In today’s world, people use candles as decorations, in ceremonies, and to release relaxing fragrances. Many companies today make candles from paraffin wax and other materials such as beeswax, soy wax, or palm wax.

However, people on the other side of the argument say that candles don’t contain enough of these toxins to be a health threat.

This article examines what science has found about burning candles and separates the facts from common misconceptions.

Are candles toxic?

There are many articles on the internet explaining the dangers of burning candles.

However, many of these articles use inconclusive or no evidence to support their claims.

Are candle wicks made of lead?

Candle wicks in the United States don’t currently contain lead.

In 2003, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted to ban the sale and manufacture of candles with lead wicks. They also banned the import of lead-containing candles from other countries.

Most candle manufacturers stopped using lead in their candles in the 1970s. Due to concerns that fumes could cause lead poisoning, especially in children, lead-containing candles are no longer produced.

Is wax made of toxic chemicals?

Many companies now make candles from paraffin wax. This type of wax stems from petroleum, a by-product of gasoline production.

Research shows that burning paraffin wax releases potentially dangerous chemicals such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and phthalates. People exposed to these chemicals reported headaches, shortness of breath, and coughing.

However, if you’re worried about the potential negative health effects of burning paraffin wax, you can try using candles made from beeswax, soy wax, or other plant-based waxes.

Do candles release particulate matter and volatile organic compounds?

Burning candles releases volatile organic compounds and particulate matter into the air.

Particulate matter is a mixture of extremely small liquid droplets and particles that can enter your lungs. There’s concern that extended exposure to particulate matter can lead to heart and lung problems.

VOCs are carbon compounds that easily turn into a gas at room temperature. Some VOCs naturally occur in flowers to produce a sweet aroma. Other VOCs, like formaldehyde and benzine, are potentially cancer-causing.

We’re regularly exposed to particulate matter and VOCs in our daily lives. These VOCs come from car exhaust, factory pollution, and anything else that burns fossil fuels.

An older 2014 study examining the amount of particulate matter released from burning candles found that the amount released isn’t enough to cause health problems in humans.

If you use candles properly in a well-ventilated space, they’re unlikely to significantly impact your health.

Are scented candles toxic?

Burning scented candles can release VOCs like formaldehyde, which may increase cancer risk. However, they release less than half the recommended amounts set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Even though scented candles release these compounds, it isn’t clear if they affect your health.

It’s also possible to have an allergic reaction to scented candles. Symptoms can include:

sneezing
runny nose
sinus blockage

Are soy candles toxic?

Soy candles produce less soot and toxic chemicals than candles made from paraffin.

Even though the smoke is cleaner, minimizing your intake of any type of smoke is a good idea.

The European Candle Association offers the following advice for handling candles:

Don’t burn candles in a drafty area.
Trim the wick if it gets longer than 5 to 10 millimeters.
Instead of blowing out a candle, use a candle snugger or dip the wick in wax.
Ventilate your room after extinguishing a candle.

Which candles are best for your health?

Burning almost anything has the potential to release chemicals that may harm your health.

The smoke from burning candles in a well-ventilated area is unlikely to significantly affect your health compared to the pollution you breathe in daily.

Candles made from natural sources are the best option for minimizing the amount of particulate matter you breathe in.

Candles made from palm stearin only release half as much soot as candles made from paraffin. The researchers also explain that natural candles release the least dangerous chemicals.

Some natural candle options include:

coconut wax
beeswax
soy wax
palm wax
vegetable wax

Takeaway

Burning a candle releases chemicals that can be potentially dangerous to human health. However, no definitive research shows that exposure to candle smoke increases your risk of developing any health condition.

Inhaling any type of smoke can be unhealthy. If you plan on using candles regularly, burning them in a ventilated room is a good idea to minimize the smoke you breathe in.

Keeping your candles away from drafts can help decrease the smoke they produce.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

https://www.greenamerica.org/toxic-candles
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https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/student-contributors-you-asked-general-science/candles-what-do-they-emit-when-lit
Candles: What do they emit when lit? (2021).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9832800/
Khathlan NA, et al. (2023). Extent of exposure to scented candles and prevalence of respiratory and non-respiratory symptoms amongst young university students.
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2003/04/18/03-9255/metal-cored-candlewicks-containing-lead-and-candles-with-such-wicks
Metal-cored candlewicks containing lead and candles with such wicks. (2003).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10783381/
Nazir Z, et al. (2023). The unknown risks of scented candles! what science has to say: an editorial.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0273230014000348?via%3Dihub
Petry T, et al. (2014). Human health risk evaluation of selected VOC, SVOC and particulate emissions from scented candles.
What are the WHO air quality guidelines? (2021). https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/what-are-the-who-air-quality-guidelines

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Medically reviewed by Angelica Balingit, MD — Written by Daniel Yetman — Updated on September 19, 2024

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