Candles are associated with romance and intimate moments, and aromatic ones and various air fresheners are an essential part of most homes to spread refreshing scents.

However, there is another aspect that we rarely think about, which is the harm that these candles and scents can cause to our health and our lives, because of the harmful chemicals they contain that are released into a closed indoor environment, and lead to a decrease in the quality of the indoor air that we breathe in our homes and offices.

The dangers of candles and their harm

The average person in high- and middle-income countries spends 85-90% of their time indoors in their homes and offices, according to The New Zealand Medical Journal.

The average person inhales up to 20,000 liters of air per day, and exposure to pollutants in stagnant indoor air can pose risks to our health and well-being, causing symptoms such as eye irritation, respiratory problems and headaches.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), levels of indoor air pollutants are usually 3 times higher than outside, and the sources of indoor pollution can be many, such as: cooking, heating and cleaning products, in addition to the products we use to remove unpleasant odors from places. Living or working, such as candles, air fresheners, room sprays, and other products.

Chemicals released by candles in a closed indoor environment reduce the quality of the indoor air we breathe (Shutterstock)

Candles and air fresheners emit more than 100 different chemicals, including "volatile organic compounds" (VOCs).

These airborne materials include broad classes of organic compounds, such as limonene (the scent of lemon), alpha-pinene (the scent of pine trees), and beta-pinene, and solvents. Such as ethanol, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, and other chemical compounds, according to a recent report published by The Guardian newspaper. (The Guardian) British.

These volatile organic compounds interact with ozone and other internal oxidants to generate a group of "oxidation products", which contain toxic molecules that often affect the general health of humans, and the level of toxicity is determined by the amount of inhaled substances and the duration of exposure to them.

Is candle smoke poisonous?

When burning, candles release volatile organic compounds and ultrafine particles into the air, a mixture of very small liquid droplets and particles that can enter your lungs, and prolonged exposure to them can lead to serious problems in the heart and lungs.

Also, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) easily turn into a gas at room temperature, and some of them, such as formaldehyde and benzene, are widely known to be carcinogens, according to Health Line in a recent report.

Inhaling too much smoke of any kind can be harmful to your health, burning paraffin candles release soot, and the combustion products from these candles are similar to those from diesel engines.

Therefore, it is a good idea to reduce the amount of smoke you breathe, by lighting candles in a well-ventilated room, and keeping them away from air currents that can increase the amount of smoke you release.

Burning paraffin wax releases potentially hazardous chemicals such as toluene (Pixels)

Conflicting scientific studies

Most modern candles are made of paraffin, and this type of wax is made from petroleum derivatives.

A 2009 scientific study found that burning paraffin wax releases potentially hazardous chemicals, such as toluene.

The US National Candlestick Society and the European Candlestick Society questioned the reliability of this study, saying that "the researchers' conclusions are based on unsupported claims."

The European Candle Society funded another scientific study that examined every major type of wax, looking for 300 toxic chemicals.

The researchers found that the level of chemicals released by each type of candle was much lower than the amount that could cause human health problems, according to the “Health Line” platform in its aforementioned report.

However, The Guardian confirms that exposure to aromatic products, even at low levels, has various adverse health effects.

She cites a study conducted in the US, UK, Australia and Sweden, which found that 32% of people are sensitive to aromatic emissions, which are a "risk factor" for asthma and headaches.

Exposure to aromatic products even at low levels has various harmful health effects (Pixels)

The New York Times, in another report on the subject, advised people worried about using paraffin-based candles to use alternative soy or beeswax candles, as it has been proven that soy candles produce soot (black particles). resulting from incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons) less than paraffin candles.

Burning almost anything can release chemicals that are harmful to your health.

And if you love candles and want to reduce the amount of particulate matter and chemicals you breathe in, using candles made from natural sources, such as beeswax, palm, coconut, and soy, is your best bet.

According to one study, candles made from palm trees emit half as much soot as candles made from paraffin.

The researchers point out that natural candles release fewer hazardous chemicals, and it is preferable to light candles in a well-ventilated room to reduce the amount of smoke you and your family breathe.