A health expert has issued a warning about a popular Christmas gift. The doctor explained that scented candles could cause unwanted respiratory problems.
For many people, candles are a festive staple, providing a Christmassy ambience and filling the house with pleasant fragrances. But alongside the obvious fire risk, they bring with them some other potential dangers.
GP Doctor Neel Patel, from LloydsPharmacy, explained that Christmas candles could be a trigger for allergic-like reactions due the chemicals they contain. He said: “Many scented candles contain synthetic fragrances, dyes, and additives that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when burned.
“These chemicals can irritate the respiratory system, leading to symptoms like coughing, sneezing, or congestion.” Therefore, he urged people affected by these chemicals to avoid candles.
He added: “If you are particularly sensitive, it’s best to avoid candles or opt for unscented candles instead.” His advice is backed by an editorial published in the Annals of Medicine and Surgery in 2023.
Within this piece, scientists said: “When scented candles are lit indoors, several harmful gases are released. They range greatly, from those known to have no effect on health, except for those that may be cancerous.”
They warned: “A number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that have been identified as carcinogens, such as naphthalene, anthracene, and pyrene, were also found in candle fumes that are products of wax, aroma substances, or combustion dyes.” They listed “common” complaints from people exposed to scented candles as:
- Vertigo
- Headaches
- Mucosa irritation
- Respiratory issues
- Watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Stuffy nose
- Chest tightness
- A dry or irritated throat
They continued: “When burning scented candles indoors, quantities of pollutants such as formaldehyde, CO2, and volatile organic compounds [VOCs] were measured that were higher than background levels, showing that the candles were one of the sources of indoor pollution.” They added that some coloured candle waxes contain dyes “which have been associated with urothelial cancer [a type of bladder cancer] development”.
“Frequent consumption of scented candles for quite a long time and their use in inadequately ventilated rooms may increase the chance of developing urothelial cancer,” they said. Overall, they recommended that people use candles manufactured from natural materials such as beeswax and scented with essential oils rather than synthetic perfumes.
They also recommended only burning candles in ventilated rooms. However, one expert noted that scented candles only produce small amounts of VOCs.
Pulmonologist Doctor Renee Dixon, told the Cleveland Clinic, that candles present “no imminent danger”. She explained that indoor cooking is more dangerous as it increases the particulate matter in the air and has been linked to respiratory illnesses.
She said: “You just have to be mindful about investing in high-quality candles and keeping them in well-ventilated areas.” But she acknowledged the potential link between candles and bladder cancer.
“All these volatile organic hydrocarbons accumulate in the blood,” she said. “They eventually get excreted through the bladder, hence the link with bladder cancer.”
Therefore, she said people living with or in remission from bladder cancer might want to avoid cancles, as well as people with chronic lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
How to safely burn candles:
- Use high-quality candles
- Burn your candle in a well-ventilated room, far removed from anything that could catch fire
- Never burn a candle for more than four hours
- Never leave a candle unattended, and don’t burn it if you may fall asleep
- Instead of blowing a candle out or using a snuffer, use a wick dipper to gently submerge the wick in the wax pool. This method doesn’t generate any smoke or wax splatter
- Don’t attempt to touch or reposition your candle until it’s had time to cool
- Use alternatives to candles such as flameless candles or wax melts
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
