DOES THE DEVIL USES PARAFFIN WAX? 😈
Despite the endless demonization made to the use of paraffin wax and its inhalation, as it is a fossil and non-renewable product there are no substantiated studies that prove that the breathing of these candles is a threat to our health, causing respiratory diseases and cancer.
Paraffin is a bye-product of the petrochemical industry. That means it’s not renewable, but it is a bye-product and once properly refined and blended, is very clean. It makes great candles when used properly. It does not pose any more of a health hazard than other waxes. This has now been proven in the largest peer reviewed scientific study ever undertaken, you can read everything here.
It’s a fact that 90% of the candle industry uses paraffin or blends with paraffin with the common denomination “Natural Wax” that is a bit misleading. Being a market of millions, the main goal is to use the minimum amount of fragrance versus maximum scent throw.
So the answer is no? Yes, the answer is no. The devil doesn't use paraffin wax to wipe out the planet.
However, everything that results from burning something leads to the release of soot, as there is not such thing as a perfect combustion in a non-controlled environment, but we have to look at the big picture. The air we breathe in urban areas is worse than the air in our living room when we light a small paraffin candle. Especially if we consider the recommendations made by the European Candle Association, namely:
- Do not burn candles in an area with drafts;
- Trim the wick if it stays longer than 10 to 15 millimeters;
- Instead of blowing out a candle, use a candle extinguisher or dip the wick in wax;
- Ventilate the space after blowing out a candle.
However, although we do not demonize this type of wax, and recognize it’s less need of amount of fragrance, as well as the ease of making colored candles without frosting, we choose not to use it in the manufacture of our candles, because although its moderate combustion in candles being not a threat to public health, it is still an ingredient made from petroleum, as well as being a finite resource and it has an ecological footprint with impact.
And, very importantly, as in the use of paraffin or mixtures of vegetable waxes with paraffin waxes, 100% vegetable waxes with quality perfumes and used correctly, allows results similar to those of paraffin and its mixtures. When used correctly, plant waxes can make as brilliant candles.
Also, it is important to consider the origin of the vegetable waxes we sell, which comes from manufacturers with implemented sustainability policies, fair trade guarantee and mostly of European origin and always of high quality.
Although burning a paraffin candle has a reduced impact on combustion, the release of soot residues inevitably ends up being doubled compared to the impact of burning waxes of vegetable origin.
That's why we are staunch supporters of the use of plant-based waxes. Even because they have to agree that maybe there are no people who inhale more soot than we, the candle manufacturers, in the various tests we have to do before putting a candle on sale. And since it has to be, let's create an atmosphere where the air is as clean as possible.
On our website, you will find several options of plant-based waxes, which you can order, in various portions, namely:
- Golden wax 494 (cs 50) for wax melts /pillar candles;
- Golden wax 464 (or s41) wax for container candles;
- C3 nature wax container wax;
- Elite 600 coconut & rapeseed container wax;
- Coconut pure wax.
Our suppliers are European and we only sell waxes that we have already tested in our workshop. Therefore, our vegetable waxes have a quality certificate, always in the 1st person, and then, of course, in the feedbacks that they leave us and that we appreciate so much. Therefore, we can say that the quality of our waxes is indisputable.
So, what kind of wax do you prefer to use, paraffin or vegetable? If you use plant-based waxes, which are your favorites?
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Sources:
- Is Burning Candles Safe or Bad for Your Health?
- New York times - Are Scented Candles Harmful to Your Health?
- European Candle Association - ECA statement refuting study by South Carolina State University researchers suggesting candles may release harmful or even carcinogenic pollutants
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