What kind of candles are non-toxic?
What do you think of when you hear the word toxic? Is it bio-hazard waste, heavy metals, or even Britney's lyrical chart-topper? What if candles, a household staple, could be toxic for your health? The truth is, conventional candles can be producing air pollutants and toxins with every burn. Here's three things to watch for:
For a person who lights a candle every day for years or just uses them frequently, inhalation of these dangerous pollutants drifting in the air could contribute to the development of health risks like cancer, common allergies and even asthma (source).
When shopping for candles, we recommend opting for a natural wax blend, prioritizing beeswax, soy wax, rice bran wax, or coconut wax. At NOTES®, we choose to craft our candle wax with a blend of three natural waxes: soy, rice bran, and beeswax.
2. Parabens and Phthalates: It seems like everywhere you look, brands are toting being paraben and/or phthalate free, or denying the impact of these chemicals altogether. But what exactly are parabens and phthalates, and why should you care?
Phthalates are a type of industrial chemical that in candles primarily act as a binding agent. Parabens are classed as a preservative, and are added to increase the shelf life of candles and prevent any unwanted bacteria growth. The intention for these chemicals are, at their heart, not malevolent. But of course, there is more to the story.
While the use of these chemicals is still federally approved for uses ranging from candles to face wash, recent academic studies have disputed the safety of these additives. Both have been linked to various health risks such as asthma, ADHD, and hormonal issues (source 1, source 2, source 3). All NOTES® candles are certified paraben and phthalate free to mitigate these risks.
3. Metal Wicks: Another tidbit you might be surprised by - some wicks have a tiny wire inside. When that burns, they can release heavy metals that are associated with disrupting your hormones, reproductive and neurological system (source). NOTES® candles feature a metal free, 100% natural cotton wick, but we also recommend hemp or sustainably sourced wood wicks.
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