According to experts, the overuse of scented candles can have negative impacts on health and the environment.
Scented candles create a pleasant scent but can potentially pose many health risks - Illustration photo
What's in a scented candle?
Scented candles to create a fragrant, relaxing feeling are no longer strange in today's life. However, improper use of scented candles can cause poisoning and increase the risk of environmental pollution.
In 2023, a woman in the US was poisoned by carbon monoxide (CO) gas after burning five scented candles in the room for several hours.
It is known that she lit 5 candles, let them burn for 10 hours in a closed room. She then blew them out and went to sleep, closing the door. After that, the young girl had to be hospitalized and given oxygen for several hours, until the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning subsided.
According to Dr. Doan Du Manh - member of the Vietnam Vascular Association, scented candles are quite popular products nowadays, used by many people to relax their mind and eliminate bad odors in the house. Of which, paraffin is the most popular raw material for making scented candles today because it is cheap. This is a product of petrochemicals.
If scented candles made from paraffin are mixed with many chemical ingredients, when burned, they will create chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene. These two substances are classified as carcinogens, and can be exposed through the respiratory tract, mouth and skin.
"Especially when burning scented candles for a long time in a closed room, poisoning can occur," said Dr. Manh.
Additionally, some of the fragrances that make candles smell may be made from artificial fragrances that contain phthalates.
When candles burn, phthalates are released into the air, can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, aggravating allergy symptoms, asthma, and altering hormone levels in the body.
Some studies have also shown that burning lead candle wicks emit soot and fine particulate matter (PM), which pollute indoor air. If exposed to high concentrations, soot and PM can settle in the alveoli, causing many respiratory problems.
According to Dr. Manh, if you abuse poor quality scented candles, the strong scent can cause irritation in people who are sensitive to scents; increasing the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allergic rhinitis, asthma...
Pay attention to choosing safe products
Doctor Doan Du Manh said that to ensure health safety and protect the environment, when using scented candles, you should note:
- You should use products of natural origin such as soybeans, stearin or beeswax. In addition, essential oils used to produce candles must also be natural to ensure health.
- Only burn scented candles in well-ventilated spaces and do not overuse them. Especially do not burn scented candles in closed rooms.
- Do not burn scented candles near places where people sleep or rest. The elderly, children, and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma should avoid places where scented candles are burned and crowded places.
- People with underlying medical conditions such as cancer or chronic bronchitis should limit exposure to smoke from scented candles.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nen-thom-giup-thu-gian-nhung-co-the-gay-hai-cho-suc-khoe-20250306165409857.htm
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