Candles and health: what you need to know!
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Candles are an integral part of many homes. They create a mood, soften dark evenings and help us enjoy the moment. But we rarely think about what is actually happening inside a candle and what substances enter our home air when it burns. A small flame may seem harmless, but in fact its impact on the air in our home can be greater than we think.
Paraffin: cheap but not clean
Candles found in regular stores are often made from paraffin wax, a byproduct of the petroleum industry. While paraffin burns brightly and is inexpensive, burning it can release chemicals like benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde into the air. These can irritate the respiratory tract and cause discomfort, especially if candles are burned frequently, in small, poorly ventilated spaces, or with synthetic fragrances and dyes (South Carolina State University, 2019).
Regularly burning such candles can increase the air pollution in your home over time. The compounds produced when a candle burns can be deposited on walls, textiles and furniture, from where they are later released back into the air.
Natural waxes: cleaner and friendlier
Fortunately, there are natural alternatives. Candles made from beeswax, soy wax, coconut wax, and canola wax tend to burn cleaner, produce less soot, and are gentler on the respiratory tract.
- Beeswax : luxurious, stable flame, natural scent and long burn time.
- Coconut wax : cleaner burning, creamy texture and low soot.
- Soy and canola waxes : popular plant-based alternatives.
But you also have to be careful with these waxes. Often, cheaper waxes are mixed with paraffin. In addition, the agricultural origin should be taken into account: conventional rapeseed and soybean plantations use pesticides and fungicides, which can remain in the wax. Many rapeseed varieties and a large part of soybeans have been genetically modified to increase yields or reduce pests. Although the direct effect of GMOs in candles is unknown, this is important information from both an environmental and ethical point of view.
Therefore, it is wiser to choose candles made from 100% pure, high-quality vegetable wax, whose composition and origin are transparent.
Scented candles and their hidden dangers
Many scented candles contain synthetic fragrances, which are made up of dozens or hundreds of compounds. They are stable at room temperature and provide a strong, lasting scent, but their chemical structure changes when heated. When burned, fragrances can:
- break down and form new compounds,
- emit an intense odor that is sometimes irritating,
- increase the level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in the room,
- May cause headaches or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.
Synthetic fragrances are cheap and provide a long-lasting scent, but their safety when burned is not guaranteed.
Essential oils
Essential oils are considered a natural and often healthier alternative, but they don't behave the same in a candle as they do in a bottle or aroma lamp. The high temperature of the flame changes the chemical structure of the essential oil:
- some compounds decompose,
- new compounds are formed that were not in the original oil,
- the aroma changes and may be strong or irritating,
- Sensitive people may experience headaches or respiratory irritation.
Therefore, burning essential oil is not as safe or effective as oil used without heating.
Candle wicks: small detail, big impact
The wick of a candle also affects air quality. A cotton or paper-reinforced wick burns cleaner, while wicks with a metal core can emit fine metal particles. In the past, lead cores were used, which were hazardous to health. Today, lead wicks are banned in many countries, but wicks with zinc, tin, or aluminum cores can be found on the market (National Candle Association, 2021).
Long-term health effects
Regularly burning candles, especially those with synthetic fragrances, paraffin, or essential oils, can have effects on your respiratory system and overall health over time:
- Respiratory irritation – VOCs, soot, and other chemical compounds can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs. Sensitive people may experience coughing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing.
- Chronic inflammation – continuous exposure to fine soot and VOCs can increase the inflammatory response in lung tissue.
- Headaches and effects on the nervous system – some synthetic fragrances and perfumes can cause headaches, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue.
- Long-term risks of air pollution – Paraffin candles can emit benzene and toluene when burned. In the long term, continuous exposure to VOCs can increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, although the risk is usually low for domestic use.
How to choose candles wisely
- Choose candles made from beeswax, coconut, soy or rapeseed wax (you also know the origin!)
- Unscented or with a natural wax scent
- Use cotton or paper will
- Stay away from strongly scented and colored candles and products with unknown wax blends.
Choosing the right candle brings warmth, peace, and mood to your home — without harming your health.
It was from this awareness that our first product was born. The Fleivor candle is created from three carefully selected, organic natural waxes — beeswax, coconut oil, and cocoa butter. Each ingredient burns evenly, cleanly, and gives off its own natural aroma: sweet beeswax, soft coconut oil, and slightly chocolatey cocoa butter.
No fragrances, no dyes, no synthetic additives — just the essence of the wax itself, bringing coziness and luxury to your home. The cotton wick burns cleanly, the glass is elegant and minimalist, offering visual peace.
Our candle glass is powder-coated on the outside. Powder coating does not release VOCs or harmful substances into the air, because during production, the paint is heated on the surface of the glass at a high temperature, which creates a stable solid layer. This layer does not evaporate or break down into particles, so no volatile organic compounds are released into the air. Since the inner surface of the glass is unpainted, the candle does not come into contact with the paint when burning, and therefore burns cleanly and safely.
You can find our candle here.
The articles on this page are designed to raise awareness and encourage you to make better choices in your daily life. The goal is not to scare you, but to open up topics that are often not talked about - so that you understand how food, environment and habits affect your well-being. We share knowledge and observations based on our experience and research, also based on scientific sources. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Listen to your body, ask questions and take conscious steps towards better health.
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