Are candles carcinogenic?

Someone close to you may have already raised this possibility and raised the alarm, but are candles actually carcinogenic?

After the festivities, your home will likely have stocked up on candles for the rest of the year;  It is a gift shared and appreciated by many people.
Despite the scent and comfort associated with it, the question arises that it involves active combustion and the release of fragrance molecules, usually, in an enclosed space.

So, are candles bad for your health?

I think it would be almost impossible not to cause some sort of internal contamination with any type of candle.

He said Michael BerginThe professor of civil and environmental engineering at Duke University explained that it does not matter what type of candle it is, it will always add something to the air around it.
Of course, candles don't pollute to the same extent as cars, but scientists point out that burning anything inside the home will lead to a greater concentration of something that wasn't there before.

Technically, candles are considered air pollutants because they emit two types of adulterants.  One of them, particulate matter (PM), includes all respirable, airborne particles.  Of particular interest is PM2.5, which means that the diameter of each particle is less than 2.5 micrometers.
These tiny pollutants are so small that once inhaled, they can penetrate deeply into organs, contributing to inflammation.
Then there are volatile organic compounds, which are natural chemicals that can evaporate into the air.  Furthermore, they can irritate the lungs and respiratory system.



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It is not entirely clear what effect pollutants have on our health, especially in relation to cancer.  but, 2014 studyA study published in the Journal of Toxicology and Regulatory Pharmacology concluded that “under normal conditions of use, scented candles pose no known health risks to the consumer.”
However, Jeffrey LaskinThere is a dearth of robust, long-term epidemiological studies and mixed results than what is available, says the Rutgers University environmental and occupational health professor.

The effect on health is difficult to study
According to researchers, candles are a complex area of ​​study, given their diversity and multiple contexts.  There are different types of candles, such as paraffin, beeswax, or soy, with wicks made of hemp, cotton, and wood.
Now, many alternative wax and wick materials offer endless combinations of PM and VOC compositions.  What's more, the size and ventilation of the environment also affect the concentration of fine particles, which, in fact, directly affects the health risks associated with them.

Despite the paucity of evidence, Kimberly JudyA professor of internal medicine at The Ohio State University College of Medicine highlights that people with existing illnesses benefit from staying away from candles.  For example, a person with asthma may be at greater risk, with just one candle causing respiratory distress.
According to Kimberly Judy, L European Candle Manufacturers AssociationA non-profit is a good place to look for updated data and studies, as they, according to Inverse, actively research and collect information about emissions and candle chemistry.