Does Burning candles Reduce Air Quality

4/30/2020

The ambiance of a burning a candle can be so relaxing after a long day or to set the right mood. But do they negatively affect the indoor air quality? We get this question from many customers so we thought we’d set the record straight.

When customers tell us they see black marks on their heating or air conditioning grilles or on walls and ceilings nearby, our first question is, “do you burn a lot of candles?” Believe it or not, even the small candle flame can produce a significant amount of soot that gets sucked into your home’s ventilation system. The standard duct filter doesn’t filter out particles this small.

Besides the visual effects, there’s the health concern. Candles containing paraffin are the most popular type on the market. When they burn, they release carcinogens into the air that can be breathed in. These are many of the same toxins that are a byproduct of burning fossil fuels. Some of these toxins can aggravate asthma or cause symptoms that feel like allergies.

One the other hand, studies have shown that a safe wax and a candle containing some essential oils can actually kill surface bacteria like Staph and E. coli.

Is there a safer option?

• Flameless candles can provide much of the ambiance without the harmful effects of burning paraffin wax. They also last longer, saving you money.

• If you like the fragrance of a candle consider using an essential oil diffuser instead. The artificial fragrances in our personal care items, laundry detergents and scented candles can be very harmful to our bodies. Essential oil diffusers release tiny droplets of essential oil into the air which creates an aromatherapy atmosphere. When used properly, essential oils can have many great health benefits and some diffusers even have lights built in to set a relaxing mood in the room.

• Candles made of beeswax or soy are an alternative to paraffin based