Using scented candles is a way to make your home smell nice, light up the space and relax. However, burning them can increase the risk of unpleasant health problems.
Scented candle use has been linked to migraines, eye and throat irritation, and a higher risk of respiratory disease.
Tamas Pandiks, a public health specialist at Semmelweis University in Hungary, says that scented candles can make pre-existing conditions, such as asthma, worse.
“This is because candles emit tiny particles of other pollutants when they burn. Apart from frequent airing of our homes, the best way to improve indoor air quality is to reduce the amount of chemicals we use,” she added.
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| Scented candle use has been linked to migraines, eye and throat irritation, and a higher risk of respiratory disease. |
When it comes to the reaction of the human body, the source of the substance varies slightly. Some candle makers use essential oils to avoid the drawbacks of artificial fragrances, but this also carries health risks.
For example, thujone, found in essential oils, has been linked to damage to the nervous system. While cinnamaldehyde, which is used in some cinnamon-scented candles, can cause skin irritation and an allergic reaction.
Some candle brands also use a wick where the cotton is wrapped around another material, such as metal, creating toxic smoke, which can also lead to lung problems.
“Whether they are artificially produced or natural, any foreign substance for the body is a chemical hazard. “They may not be carcinogenic, but these substances put an additional burden on the liver, and our metabolic processes are not ready to process them either,” she explains.
It’s not just candles that cause indoor pollution, but other products too, such as cleaning sprays, e-cigarettes and even furniture.