Are Candles Toxic? How They Affect the Air Quality in your Utah Home
Are candles toxic? Or is that just a common misconception about these beloved household items?
If you love to burn candles in your Utah home, you may be wondering how it is affecting your home’s air quality. It’s an important question to ask! Maintaining safe and healthy in-home air quality is crucial for Utah residents to prioritize, and candles can definitely impact that.
If you want to find out the answer to “Are candles toxic?” keep reading!
Are candles toxic?
The short answer is: most candles release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter when lit, which can be toxic to breathe.
VOCs are particles that can become harmful when mixed with other particles found in the air. This essentially means that candles release certain chemicals that are not toxic on their own, but can become toxic when mixed with other common household chemicals, such as those found in cleaning supplies.
Additionally, particulate matter released by burning candles is one of the biggest reasons these items are toxic. Particulate matter is made up of teeny-tiny solid and liquid particles found in the air. They are so small they bypass most of our body’s natural defenses and make it into our lungs. This particle pollution can lead to a myriad of serious health side effects, such as:
Coughing and wheezing
Asthma attacks
Lung disease
Heart disease
Heart attacks
Strokes
Furthermore, many candles are made with paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum. As it burns, paraffin wax releases soot, which can cause serious respiratory issues if inhaled.
However, we do have some good news! There is a common myth that candle wicks contain lead, another highly toxic substance. Thankfully, those kinds of wicks were banned in the United States (including Utah) in 2003. So, unless you’re still using candles from the early 2000s (or earlier), your candles are definitely lead-free.
Safest kinds of candles to use in your Utah home
If you do want to burn candles in your home, it’s best to use soy wax candles, since those don’t release soot. Also, you can look for candles with fragrances made with natural, essential oils to eliminate some of the toxins you’ll be breathing in.
However, the biggest tip on using candles without significantly harming the air quality in your Utah home is to simply burn them less. Try not to keep candles burning in your home 24/7. By limiting your candle use to several occasions a week, you can ensure that you’re not exposing yourself to the candles’ toxic particles too much.
The best candle alternatives
If you still want candlelit ambiance in your home without the air pollution effects, you can always opt for electric candles. Another cute alternative is to put twinkle lights in mason jars, which creates soft, glowy lighting.
If you like using scented candles, getting an essential oil diffuser could be a good alternative for you. That way, you can still smell of the yummy scents your heart desires, without any negative side effects. Other scented options include potpourri, reed diffuser sticks, and fresh bouquets of fragrant flowers.
Worried about the air quality in your Utah home? Air duct cleaning can help!
Using candles that are safe to breathe (or candle alternatives) is a small, yet meaningful step you can take to promote better air quality in your Utah home. If you’re wondering what other steps you can take to improve in-home air quality, cleaning your home’s air ducts is a good place to start.
Air ducts are one of the top places that pollutants and irritants accumulate in the homes of Utah residents. They’re out of the way and hard to reach, making them the perfect place for particles to settle. Over time, dust, dust mites, mold, dander, pollen and other kinds of debris collect in the air vents of Utah homes. Those particles definitely aren’t good to breathe and can contribute to all kinds of nasal and lung issues.
This is why air duct cleaning is so necessary! Professional air duct cleaning companies use cutting edge vent cleaning technology to suction out anything stuck in a home’s air ducts. It’s a great way to ensure your home truly has clean and safe air quality.
If you’re looking for a top Utah air duct cleaning company, contact Crystal Clean Vents today. We’ll even inspect the air ducts of your Utah home for FREE!