Do scented candles lift your mood at a hidden cost?

After a hectic day, returning to your home, and getting into a bubble bath, with a scented candle flickering nearby is what dreams are made of! Or the amber-scented candle setting the mood for a romantic evening with your soulmate. While scented candles do lift your mood, does that come with a hidden cost?
In the last decade, the demand for scented candles has surged exponentially. The market for scented candles in the US is reportedly estimated to be worth approximately 2 billion USD annually. Scented candles, which were once considered a luxury are not available in slashing prices. With the skyrocketing demand, now scented candles labeled ‘non-toxic’ or ‘healthier’ are also available But are these scented and coloured candles safe to use?
When you light scented candles indoors, they release volatile or semi-volatile compounds (VOC), and these may affect indoor air quality and potentially irritate the lungs. The harmful gasses released range differently, as some have no effect while others may be even cancerous.

In a study conducted to measure and evaluate gaseous and particulate emissions from burning scented and unscented candles, it was found that incomplete combustion could result in the formation of carbon monoxide, elemental carbon, and other hydrocarbons. These are harmful to our health.
Scented candles, which are cheap and made from paraffin wax (derived from petroleum fractions) will release formaldehyde and aromatic hydrocarbons like toluene and benzopyrene in large quantities, according to a study.

A 66-year-old woman was diagnosed with Lipoid pneumonia after she struggled with shortness of breath for one year. Upon further investigation, the experts found out that she had spent most of her time in a shrine, and was exposed to vaporized paraffin from burning candles, which led to the rare condition.
Some of the most common complaints that people exposed to scented candles have are vertigo, headaches, mucosa irritation, respiratory issues, watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy nose, chest tightness, and a dry or irritated throat.


Using scented candles on a regular basis can also expose you to dangerous levels of organic pollutants. The candle chemicals, fragrances, and wax are asthma and allergy irritants. Some studies also suggest that regular inhaling of scented candles in poorly ventilated indoor setups can increase the risk of urothelial cancer.

For those who want to continue using candles can choose candles that have 100% soy wax, beeswax, or stearin wax. Instead of picking artificially scented candles go for the ones that use essential oils.
(Pic courtesy: iStock, Pexels)