Choosing a Non-Toxic Candle
Most of the candles we find in stores - yes, even the expensive ones with the glorious smells and designer cases- while might be great at helping us relax are often made with materials that we know can be harmful to our health. Burning a candle once shouldn’t get anyone sick, however if you enjoy burning candles weekly, even daily, and you do this months at a time, even years, the cumulative effects of being exposed to these materials can indeed affect your health in the long run.
The good news? Today there are more safe, non-toxic candles available than ever before; regardless of your budget and taste. The key is to know what to avoid and what to look for.
AVOID
1. paraffin wax
Most candles are made of paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct that gives of the same chemicals that diesel fuel fumes give off when burned including benzene, a known carcinogen, and toluene linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity. EECK.
Paraffin candles contain up to 11 carcinogenic compounds which have been deemed “toxic air contaminants” by the State of California
How much of these compounds are released when you burn paraffin based candle is up for debate. Once study (https://www.scsu.edu/news_article.aspx?news_id=832 ) found that the levels could become a health issue over time , while other studies find the levels quite low. My take? I don’t believe burning a paraffin candle will harm you ( although if you have a preexisting respiratory condition like asthma it might affect you), however if you enjoy burning candles in an enclosed indoor space often, the effects could add up over the years- and as always, children are much more vulnerable to these chemicals than adults. I would source alternate waxes for my candles.
2. Fragrance
Candles are legally permitted to list "fragrance" on the list of ingredients without explaining what chemicals make up their fragrance thanks to the FDA protecting this as a ‘trade secret’.
Because of this, its hard to say if a specific candle contains a specific chemical however we do known that the most commonly used fragrance chemicals contain known allergens, toxic ingredients linked to developmental and reproductive harm, and known endocrine disrupters like phthalates.
Additionally, fragrance chemicals can not only be harmful on their own, but in an enclosed sealed indoor space, these chemicals can also react with ozone in the air and form harmful secondary pollutants such as formaldehyde.
SAFE Non-Toxic OPTIONS
WAXES
Beeswax candles: however make sure you find 100% beeswax since many companies mix beeswax with paraffin to keep costs down
Coconut wax candles : They burn ‘clean’ and as an added bonus Coconut wax is also one of the slowest-burning waxes out there, meaning your candle will last up to 50% longer than a traditional candle
Soy candles: These are safe from a toxicity perspective, however most soybeans are genetically modified which require huge amounts of toxic pesticides - so I try to only support companies using non-GMO soy candles
2. Fragrance:
Source candles that specify that they've used 100% naturally derived essential oils, are phthalate-free.
Fragrance free candles that specify they contain no fragrance, are another great alternative, especially for people who are sensitive to all fragrances.
3. WICKS
Candles with lead wicks have been banned in the US for sale since 2003. There is always the possibility that you could find some make overseas online (or maybe a really old one at home? ) so always do take a look at the wick. A candle with a lead-core wick releases five times the amount of lead considered hazardous for children and exceeds EPA pollution standards for outdoor air, says the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
How can you tell if a wick contains lead? According to Green america.org : “If you have a candle that has not been burned yet, rub the tip of the wick of on a piece of paper. If it leaves a gray mark, like a pencil, the wick contains a lead core. “
Store bought candles today, however, should not contain lead. Instead, look for candles with wicks made of paper, hemp, cotton or wood.
Non-Toxic Munchkin Approved Candles
Fontana Candle Company small sizes starting at $12.99
Made with coconut oil made of pure expeller pressed coconut oil is sustainably sourced from Malaysia, the Phillipines, and Indonesia and pure beeswax that is naturally refined and therapeutic grade essential oils are sourced from ethical producers . they have popular seasonal candles like peppermint twist, cinnamon orange clove and spice latte as well as year round options.
Lite + Cycle Candles are transparent about every ingredient, which I love: they use 100% pure essential oils, 100% non-GMO American-grown soy wax, and an unbleached cotton wick. Ingredients are grown and harvested sustainably
Pure plant home: $20 sustainable coconut-based wax, fragrance made from high-quality essential oils, and is hand-poured in California. The recycled paper box (with plant dye inks) it comes in is made in a facility powered by solar and wind power.
Apothecary Coconut Wax Large Amber Jar Ginger/Vanilla Planifolia
Pure Plant Home Stockholm Coconut Wax Candle
Pink Elephant Coconut Wax Tin Candles: These vegan candles are hand-poured using an exclusive blend of sustainable coconut wax and real essential oils. There is no soy, paraffin or petrochemicals, synthetic fragrance, artificial dyes or colorants. Silver tin. Unbleached cotton wicks.
Tupelo Point: $17 Made in New Hamshire with coconut wax and organic essential oils. Non-GMo and vegan
Moss Chandler: $36 made with 100% organic beeswax, Blended with only high quality certified organic essential oils and featuring a custom hand-braided organic hemp fiber wick. Made in the USA
Alternative Imagination 100% Pure Beeswax Pillar Candle $23: They work with ethical, local bee farms based in the United States. They use only single-origin beeswax from local farms, filtered using a chemical-free filtration system that leaves the beeswax with its naturally sweet, honey-like aroma, and beautiful yellow coloring. Hand poured and made in St. Petersburg, Florida. Natural cotton wicks with a paper thread for structure (no toxic metals included).
100% pure beeswax (NO fillers). 100% cotton wick. Homemade right here in the United States!
Welch Candle COmpany: Made in Madison Wisconsin, these candles are made with 100% pure beeswax with no fragrance added. 100% organic cotton wick
Bluecorn Beeswax Candles: 100% Pure beeswax made with essential oils. Hand-poured in 50% recycled glass. Made in Colorado
Terralite Candle: coconut wax candles made with pure, organic, wildcrafted essential oils and plant extracts.
Woodlot Candles: Woodlot candles are made with an organic coconut and non-GMO soy wax blend and scented with essential oils and poured over Eco Wicks. Hand-poured in Canada in recyclable glass. Comes in 7 scents.
Sources
https://www.scsu.edu/news_article.aspx?news_id=832
https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi?Dockey=P1009BZL.txt
https://www.madesafe.org/science/hazard-list/fragrance/
https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/pdfs/foia_canwick2.pdf