I love candles! I have candles of all shapes, sizes and scents in every room of my home. I'm the woman at the local candle shop sniffing every single candle and calling out to her friends "Oh, you gotta smell this one!" So you can imagine my horror, my shock, my disbelief, when my neighbor told me that burning candles could be dangerous to my health! Say it ain't so!
The first stage was denial. I just refused to believe any such nonsense! Then, the doubt began to creep in. Could it be possible? I saw the signs, the soot ring on the top of my jar candles, black marks on the wall. Should I be worried, maybe I should do some research, if nothing else, to prove them wrong! Finally reason took hold and the quest began! Are the candles I'm using dangerous? Are there safe alternatives? Am I going to have to give up my beloved candles forever?
Are the candles I'm using dangerous?
As it turns out, they are. It seems most of the candles I own have led wicks in them. I have discovered that led wicks can cause led poisoning. Under certain indoor conditions, burning these candles may result in lead concentrations above EPA recommended thresholds. Furthermore, inhalation exposure is not the only pathway for lead intake. Unlike gaseous air pollutants, particle-bound lead tends to settle on interior surfaces, where young children can be exposed to lead dust through skin contact.
I also learned that manufacturers are not required to disclose lead content. www.epa.gov Okay, no more led-wick candles! Zinc is okay or try pure paper or cotton instead.
As for the actual burning of the wax being poisonous, I really don't know. I have read many reports stating they are and many stating they are not. So I started looking for candles that I could be sure would not cause me harm.
Are there safe alternatives?
This question led me to soy candles. Why are soy wax candles better? Soy wax is from soybeans, which are a renewable resource, grown here in the U.S.A.
Soy wax is a very clean burning wax and does not give off petro-carbon soot.
Soy wax does not leave soot stains.
Soy wax candles burn substantially longer than petroleum wax and more uniform.
Soy candles are non-toxic, and do not contain any pesticides or herbicides...safe for children and pets.
Soy wax candles are biodegradable and easily cleaned up with soap and water.
I did run across some safety measures that we should all use.
Do not move a burning candle, or place in a draft.
Keep wick trimmed to ¼ inch to avoid excessive smoking.
Discontinue burning when less than ½ inch of wax remains.
Keep wax free of matches, wick trimmings, or any flammable materials.
And of course, never leave a burning candle unattended!
So it seems I will not have to give up my beloved candles after all!
Shelly Platt
http://www.naturallygood.net - Products, articles, and links supporting a more natural, healthy lifestyle.
When it comes to decorating a child's room, your approach... Read More
Roman shades are a simple and practical window treatment to... Read More
If you want a touch of class and art in... Read More
There's good news about hardwood floors. Because of advanced construction... Read More
When I think of decorating a room with posters, I... Read More
Hawaii is a first choice travel destination with millions of... Read More
There is something to be said about a space that... Read More
Since there has been a trend in recent years towards... Read More
Home remodelers and builders have experienced a boom in the... Read More
Mounting health costs and cuts to government funding are making... Read More
Wood mini blinds are one variety of wood blinds for... Read More
Do you ever feel like nothing you do when you... Read More
Decorating anything is one of the easiest things in the... Read More
By their very nature, all fruit baskets, especially the original... Read More
Down comforters are one of the more popular ways of... Read More
How do you envision your dream home? Is it rich... Read More
Bathrooms do not always offer many opportunities to make style... Read More
The basic bathroom vanity includes a mirror or medicine cabinet... Read More
The quality of the wear layer determines frequency of refinishing... Read More
Dear friends,Any room in your home is primarily a space... Read More
How to decorate a teens bedroom is one of the... Read More
One personal junk is another personal treasure. Never is that... Read More
Seasoning a Cigar HumidorTo keep the things we cherish in... Read More
Ahhh, the sumptuous days of summer. Clear skies, green lawns,... Read More
Decorating your home and office can be a challenge if... Read More
There is nothing like wood furniture to add elegance and... Read More
Portable dishwashers are just the ticket for those with less... Read More
When it's time to decorate - whether it's for a... Read More
The world of antiques can be confusing. What's the difference... Read More
Not just food for pandas or the stuff of cheap... Read More
A quality area rug for your home can be an... Read More
Tired of plain, boring walls? Faux finishes are a great... Read More
Creating intimacy in a room is about finding a mixture... Read More
Hardwood floors can be secured using various installation methods such... Read More
I love candles! I have candles of all shapes, sizes... Read More
With the weather cooling, it's time to put on the... Read More
As cuckoo clocks have been around since 1730 and have... Read More
When planning your home décor, it is vitally important to... Read More
Step 1: Pick a motif and go with it! Don't... Read More
When people decide to grow flowers, they have many choices.... Read More
Home decorating on a budget is the ultimate adventure in... Read More
Bamboo flooring is a relatively new alternative to standard hardwood... Read More
Longstrip hardwood floors are wide and long, and each plank... Read More
Consumers may be led to believe that waterbed sheets are... Read More
Despite the high-end look, discount wood blinds are available. Constructed... Read More
During your spring cleaning, don't forget to think about your... Read More
Modern bathroom vanities and medicine cabinets come in a huge... Read More
"There are a number of factors that must be taken... Read More
I am not a quilter in the typical sense, but... Read More
When it comes to home accessories, baker's racks have long... Read More
There are several differences between tropical ceiling fans and standard... Read More
How to decorate a teens bedroom is one of the... Read More
There once was a time when the fireplace was the... Read More
Chairs crafted by Thomas Chippendale were dazzling examples of quality... Read More
Retro, checks, black and white...looks like MOD is back. A... Read More
Of all the various kits available from hobby stores and... Read More
Ahhh, the sumptuous days of summer. Clear skies, green lawns,... Read More
The number of metal wine racks available may seem overwhelming,... Read More
Kitchen island design ideas not only include choosing the right... Read More
Picnic baskets for two provide an intimate way to celebrate... Read More
My 5-year-old grandson is getting his own room. He's very... Read More
When potential buyers are looking at a home, many upgrades... Read More
Feng shui indicates some specific guidelines regarding children's spaces and... Read More
There's good news about hardwood floors. Because of advanced construction... Read More
Creating a comfortable area for your baby is important to... Read More
The topic of eastern influences on western interiors is a... Read More
Interior Design & Decorating |