| y"> | | | | As for the actual burning of the wax being |
| I love candles! I have candles of all shapes, sizes and | | | | poisonous, I really don't know. I have read many |
| scents in every room of my home. I'm the woman | | | | reports stating they are and many stating they are |
| at the local candle shop sniffing every single candle | | | | not. So I started looking for candles that I could be |
| and calling out to her friends "Oh, you gotta smell this | | | | sure would not cause me harm. |
| one!" So you can imagine my horror, my shock, my | | | | Are there safe alternatives? |
| disbelief, when my neighbor told me that burning | | | | This question led me to soy candles. Why are soy |
| candles could be dangerous to my health! Say it ain't | | | | wax candles better? |
| so! | | | | Soy wax is from soybeans, which are a renewable |
| The first stage was denial. I just refused to believe | | | | resource, grown here in the U.S.A. |
| any such nonsense! Then, the doubt began to creep | | | | Soy wax is a very clean burning wax and does not |
| in. Could it be possible? I saw the signs, the soot ring | | | | give off petro-carbon soot. |
| on the top of my jar candles, black marks on the | | | | Soy wax does not leave soot stains. |
| wall. Should I be worried, maybe I should do some | | | | Soy wax candles burn substantially longer than |
| research, if nothing else, to prove them wrong! Finally | | | | petroleum wax and more uniform. |
| reason took hold and the quest began! Are the | | | | Soy candles are non-toxic, and do not contain any |
| candles I'm using dangerous? Are there safe | | | | pesticides or herbicides...safe for children and pets. |
| alternatives? Am I going to have to give up my | | | | Soy wax candles are biodegradable and easily cleaned |
| beloved candles forever? | | | | up with soap and water. |
| Are the candles I'm using dangerous? | | | | I did run across some safety measures that we |
| As it turns out, they are. It seems most of the | | | | should all use. |
| candles I own have led wicks in them. I have | | | | Do not move a burning candle, or place in a draft. |
| discovered that led wicks can cause led poisoning. | | | | Keep wick trimmed to ¼ inch to avoid |
| Under certain indoor conditions, burning these candles | | | | excessive smoking. |
| may result in lead concentrations above EPA | | | | Discontinue burning when less than ½ inch of |
| recommended thresholds. Furthermore, inhalation | | | | wax remains. |
| exposure is not the only pathway for lead intake. | | | | Keep wax free of matches, wick trimmings, or any |
| Unlike gaseous air pollutants, particle-bound lead tends | | | | flammable materials. |
| to settle on interior surfaces, where young children | | | | And of course, never leave a burning candle |
| can be exposed to lead dust through skin contact. | | | | unattended! |
| I also learned that manufacturers are not required to | | | | So it seems I will not have to give up my beloved |
| disclose lead content. Okay, no more led-wick candles! | | | | candles after all! |
| Zinc is okay or try pure paper or cotton instead. | | | | |