Fragrant rooms and aesthetic enchanting lights illuminating the ambience of any room is loved by everyone and to get this setting for any room scented candles are a perfect option. These mood-setting candles with subtle lighting are perfect to enlighten every type of mood.
A sneak peek into the History
Candles are used from centuries to create a soft and warm glow, but with the invention of innovative and modern lighting candles are now just used as decorative pieces. The candles that we use today have evolved from their natural predecessors that were eminently health friendly. These originally developed in 500 BC and were made from natural materials like beeswax, cinnamon and yak butter etc. It was in 1850 when James Young for the first time made a candle using filtered paraffin wax, and since then there has been no looking back.This innovativeParaffin made candles instantly became preeminent duo to its cost-effective and time-saving productivity.
Beauty that ruins health
Scented candles add a stunning edge to the ambience of any room. The aroma that these aesthetic and fragrant lights add to your room can spark up your mood as well. These aromatic flambeaus are good to see but very dangerous to inhale. The harmful chemicals used in these candles can be very devastating for your health in the long run. Generally used as decorative pieces these days, fragrant candles can have a very negative effect on the air quality in the indoors. Paraffin wax, which is a by-product of fossil fuels like petrol and kerosene, is harmful when burnt for long hours. Not only do these emit harmful gases but also are a source of a chemical that is detrimental for your health.
Chemicals that cost on your health
Used as anti-depressants and decoratives, aromatic candles are made from chemical-based aromas that are very hurtful to your health. The main setback of these candles apart from paraffin wax is the composition that results in the end product called Scented Candles. Let’s throw light on the various ingredients:
Acetaldehyde: Though found naturally in fruits and vegetables, acetaldehyde is used as a flavoring agent in scented candles. Mainly used in making perfumes, flavors and dyes this ingredient when burnt becomes a gas the inhalation of which can cause irritation in lungs, nose, throat and eyes. Smelling this gas for long durations can cause hazards like cancer of various organs involved in respiration.
Formaldehyde: Found in traces from plant and animal emissions, formaldehyde is used in a gamut of end-user goods like glues, fertilizers, composite wood and paints. Continuous exposure to this chemical can have a carcinogenic effect on humans. It also increases the risk of asthma and allergies. Irritation in eyes, nose, throat and its exposure may lead to impaired memory.
Acrolein: Acrolein is a toxic chemical which may result in respiratory problems and can cause damage to DNA. It is used to create other chemicals. Thus, Cancer status is still not known.
Dioxins and Furans: These are a class of organic chemical compounds that specifically do not serve any purpose.The Chemical composition of these organic compounds is Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins and Polychlorinated dibenzofurans which are the by-products of combustion in industries and factories. These highly toxic substances are used in fragrant flambeau and can cause physical weakness, abnormalities in the nervous system and depress the immune system.
Lead: The wick of the candle is no less harmful. As the basic part of the candle, the thread used as the wick is covered with lead to keep it straight and upright. The lead on this wick keeps it rigid while burning and is added to the foundation of a candle. This lead from the core of candle when burnt emits lead gas in the air that poisons the air. This lead pollution of the air causes mood disorder, depression, loss of memory and many developmental issues in children.
Artificial Fragrances: The artificial aromas used in the scented candles result in greater soot production.The soot emitted from theses candles contains acids, dust, chemicals and dust that can lead to major health concerns like heart strokes, bronchitis, asthma and premature deaths. Although soot is generally produced from wood stoves and fireplaces yet the amount produced from aromatic candles is 17 times than that produced from other counterparts.Burning more than 30 candles within 125 km may cause cancer and other respiratory issues. Moreover, since the parameter of fragrances used in candles is not set, manufacturers use them at their discretion, thus increasing the danger these pose to one’s health.
Aromatic candles certainly are mood enhancers and can light up the ambience of any room yet the threat these aesthetic decorative pieces pose to your health is indisputable. From being carcinogenic to allergy enhancing, the candles when used in the insides of your house can be very hazardous. The safe way hence to enlighten your house is to use natural candles made from beeswax, soy and palm oils.Using indoor plants also protects you from the negatives of scented candles. So next time when you enlighten your house with scented candles, just rethink!
