The idea that candles may cause indoor air pollution has created some controversy recently. Candles have been a part of the human environment for thousands of years, as a source of light, warmth, and for spiritual uses as well. Modern lighting such as incandescent and fluorescent bulbs have replaced candles for the most part, yet candles are still used to a great extent throughout the world. The aspect of indoor air pollution has recently been raised in relation to the use of candles.  Read more about Green Power Retail Strategies in European Utilities

This revelation has surprised many people who have used candles for various reasons, including mood lighting, as a way to conserve energy, and as a means of emergency lighting in the case of a power outage. Yet some research suggests that candles contain known human carcinogens and should be considered as a source of indoor air pollution. This recent announcement was made during a meeting of the American Chemical Society, during a symposium concerning the affects of certain lifestyle choices on indoor air pollution.

The substance that is most likely to cause harmful indoor air pollution when used to make candles is paraffin. This waxy substance, made from rendered ovine fat and fish oil, releases carcinogens into the air as indoor air pollution, especially when these types of candles are used during the winter when there is a lack of sufficient ventilation to remove the smoke. The research studies suggest that candles make from soy and bee’s wax are less likely to produce harmful levels of indoor air pollution while still producing sufficient light and warmth.

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The problem of indoor air pollution has been addressed before, although many decades ago. The habit of burning coal oil and other fuels for indoor lighting up to the end of the 19th century was the subject of studies that eventually led to the introduction of electricity as a means of lighting interior areas to prevent indoor air pollution. Yet candles have been used continuously even after the invention of electricity, often in extensive use for religious purposes. The aspect of indoor air pollution from the burning of candles has just been presented, and is already causing a great deal of controversy, especially among manufacturers of paraffin candles.

The study presented at the meeting of the American Chemical Society did take into consideration the amount of time paraffin candles are allowed to burn in relation to the potential for indoor air pollution. The report asserted that small amounts of paraffin candle smoke do not cause substantial indoor air pollution, especially when adequate ventilation is used to remove the smoke. It was also suggested that those candles made from soy and bee’s wax should be burned in moderation, although their potential to cause harmful indoor air pollution was significantly less.

There will undoubtedly be a substantial rebuttal to these findings about indoor air pollution from many sources, including people who rely on candles for lighting as well as the candle manufacturing industry. Yet the findings of this most recent study of the effect of excessive burning of candles on indoor air pollution have been accepted as part of the ongoing efforts of the scientific community to monitor the possible side effects of lifestyle choices, especially as they relate to indoor air pollution and the quality of life.