Are natural candles bad for your health? Are there toxins in natural candles? Where to buy non toxic candles? We have all your answers below.
A (long) hidden, bad reputation...
Most popular candles are made of paraffin wax (a petroleum waste product that is chemically bleached), which creates highly toxic benzene and toluene (both are known carcinogens) when burned. In fact, the petro-soot released from paraffin candles are the same as those found in diesel fuel fumes and can be as dangerous at second-hand smoke. In 2001, the EPA concluded that burning paraffin candles emit harmful toxins and increase health risks with multiple exposures. Even the recent popular soy wax candles contain paraffin.
Wicks & Fragrance
Candle wicks can also be a source of toxins in scented candles. In the US, candle wicks are supposed to be made of cotton or paper, but lead-core wicks are still used in popular Bath & Body and retail stores . A candle with a lead-core wick may keep your wicks standing straight, but releases five times the amount of lead considered hazardous for children and exceeds EPA pollution standards for OUTDOOR air. And imagine these toxins inside our homes!
The synthetic fragrances that create candle scents usually contain phthalates. As candles burn, phthalates are released into the air where they may be inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Once they enter the bloodstream, they can aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms in some people and have been found to alter hormone levels. But phthalates aren't the only chemical you should be concerned of in a fragrance...
Why Tabor & Olive is your best choice
Paraffin wax is toxic. Soy for candle wax is a renewable and natural option but there is no such thing as Non-GMO soy. A lot of harmful pesticides and fertilizers are used in farming and growing soy, and those chemicals are burned into the air you breathe. The time invested in harvesting organic soy, I argue the point that it's set aside to turn into candle wax.
Aside from the other negative stigma recently associated with soy, it is not sustainable or environmentally friendly.
On the other hand, coconuts do not require pesticides or any kind of fertilizers to grow. They are organically made and harvested by hand, which makes them eco-friendly. Coconuts are also Non-GMO and have no genetic modifications, unlike soy.
Our candle wax is 100% sustainable coconut wax. Tabor & Olive proudly set a new industry standard by also eliminating not only phthalates, but also hazardous chemicals found in fragrance such as carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins, organ toxins and acute toxins.
The wicks we use are 100% cotton and are lead, zinc and bleach free.
We have several candle collections to browse, as well as unscented options. Shop our Premium Non-Toxic Candles here
Want to know everything we don't allow in our products? Check out our Chemical Exclusion List