07 Sep 07 The Joy of Soy!
While most of us are conscious of the desire for a healthier lifestyle through organic foods, natural skin and body products, and even healthier air through smoking bans, not everyone is aware of the possible harmful effects of burning traditional paraffin wax candles in their homes. Luckily, new soy-based candles are allowing families to burn virtually soot-free candles and still enjoy the lovely light and fragrances that we love in our homes.
Do you know where paraffin wax comes from? Paraffin is actually a derivative of kerosene. It is a byproduct of oil production, a sort of “bottom of the barrel” scraping of the oil barrel. It’s not surprising then, that one of the biggest complaints about traditional paraffin candles is the black residue or “soot” left on the containers, nearby walls, and fingers of those who are trying to clean their candles. Is it any great surprise then, that this same soot would be released into the air that you breathe while enjoying the smell of your candle? And that that same soot is going to coat any interior surfaces and then be possibly absorbed by skin contact? In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency did a study in 2001 titled “Candle Burning as a Potential Source of Indoor Air Pollution” (http://www.epa.gov/appcdwww/iemb/insideiaq/ss01.pdf) where they purchased 100 sets of candles with metal-cored wicks. They then measured the lead levels in the wicks and found that while burning, several of the wicks emitted lead at a rate from 100-1400 micrograms/hour. Burning these candles can result in lead concentrations above EPA recommended thresholds.
Paraffin wax also contains 11 dangerous compounds which have been classified as dangerous by the EPA, some of which have been labeled as carcinogenic. One of these compounds is carbon tetrachloride. Chronic exposure to elevated levels of this can cause liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage. The EPA has classified carbon tetrachloride as a “Group B2” compound, a human carcinogen. As a result, the American Lung Association has issued warnings regarding the burning of paraffin candles as a common, unrecognized cause of poor indoor air quality.
In contrast, soy-based wax candles are derived from all-natural soybeans that are grown all around the world, especially in the United States . It is made by hydrogenating the oil of the soybeans, which are a renewable resource limited only to how many soybeans are grown. Therefore, they support the American farmer and help to relieve some of our dependency on foreign oil. Because it is made of natural products, it is also biodegradable and not as harmful to our planet’s health.
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