Paraffin candles may smell trouble

By Sheilah Downey (sheilahd@foodconsumer.org)

Lighting petroleum-based candles to exude that cozy ambiance in a room may be bad for your health, say scientists.

Paraffin candles contain human carcinogens and are an unrecognized source of indoor air pollution, according to the study released today from the American Chemical Society.

Scientists from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg under the direction of Dr. R. Ruhullah Massoudi, a professor in the university’s Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, tested candles made of paraffin – a petroleum substance -- and found the smoke emits a variety of pollutants, including benzene, toluene and ketones, that have been linked to cancer, asthma and birth defects.

Scientists said the smoke levels from the candles can build up in closed rooms, such as bathrooms, and more isn't necessarily merrier.

"An occasional paraffin candle and its emissions will not likely affect you," said researcher Dr. Amid Hamidi.

"But lighting many paraffin candles everyday for years or lighting them frequently in an un-ventilated bathroom around a tub, for example, may cause problems."

While paraffin-based candles won’t necessarily give someone cancer, scientists said they are concerned about the effects of inhaling those toxins on a regular basis.

The study's lead researcher Dr. Massoudi and Dr. Hamidi said that candles made from bees wax or soy are apparently a healthier alternative.

Research is currently underway at the University, lead by Dr. Massoudi,  to see if soybean candles, which are vegetable-based, may be safer than their paraffin-based counterparts.

"This research will help determine if vegetable oil-based candles are a safer and more economically and environmentally friendly alternative to (petroleum) paraffin-based candles," states the study's proposal.

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