Paraffin Candles and Alternatives

[Mozelle]

What’s In your Candle?
This is for those new to Candle Magick or just new to Magickal work. They may find the following information useful when using candles on their alter or working with candles.

Burning paraffin candles releases toxins carcinogenic smoke and soot. Petroleum and kerosene waste has been the primary material for candles. The same toxins as diesel fuel. Paraffin wax is made from the bottom of the oil barrel, the worst 5% or so rejected by the gasoline industry. Crude oil refinement is then mixed with industrial strength bleach (Whitening). Now add stearic acid. The EPA has confirmed that those candles, and the smoke and soot they give off, contain several dangerous chemicals in significant quantities. These chemicals include known or probable carcinogens, neurotoxins and reproductive toxins. Then it is texturized with a chemical called Acrolein, color and scent is added to create a paraffin candle.

EPA has found the following compounds in a random group test of over 30 paraffin candles. These tests also show that burning paraffin candles can produce a variety of harmful substances in significant quantities including:

Acetone, Benzene, Trichlorofluoromethane, Carbon Disulfide, Butanone, Trichloroethane, Carbon Tetrachloride, Carbon Black (soot) Particulate Matter, Styrene, Xylene, Ethyl benzene, Phenol, Cresol, and Lead.

Alternative Candle Beeswax
Cruelty-free, contain no animal fats
Beeswax is the only fuel to emit (Negative Ions) when burning. Dust, hair, odors and other things floating in the air are doing so because the particles are positively charged. Allergens and toxins become positively charged through static electricity created by heating systems and friction caused by normal activity ( such as when you walk across the carpet). Pure beeswax candles help rid your home of toxins by emitting negatively charged ions as well as burning away positively charged particles that float toward the burning halo flame. This process cleans the air of positive ions such as dust, odors, toxins, pollen, mold, dust mites feces, and viruses. This has been proven to be beneficial for people who have allergies, and environmental sensitivities.

Beewax candles Beeswax candles burn with the emitting a brighter, longer burning flame. They last a lot longer then regular candles as well. To me there is an intensity of the flame of a beewax candle that cannot be matched and the most beautiful glowing halo around the flame. Beewax candles can be more expensive. But there are places on the web if you would like to buy the wax in bulk and make your own. If your particular about colored candles, it is a little tricky coloring your own beewax candles. It’s a trial and error thing. You can find places that sell colored beewax candles online as well.

Personal note: To my knowledge there is no agency that regulates candles.
Always look for 100% beeswax candles. Sad to say some candles sold as beeswax can be mixed with other wax making materials. When I buy in bulk I set some aside for special work, then some for myself and friends. The following is just my personal choice because I love the smell of Honey. Candles use for work are disposed of as work. But leisure candles made from beeswax are reusable. Once they melt down just store the wax in an airtight bag. Because beeswax is a reusable source. Once you have collected the wax from a couple of your candles. You can throw that wax in your melting pot and make candles again. One of my friends I give beeswax candles to when I make them, saves the wax in a airtight bag as well. With their name on it. So I can make their candles again as well. I have never made beeswax candles with stearic acid. I just melt the wax and pour. This alternative is not for everyone, but some may prefer. I do use store bought candles when it’s an emergency and I have not made candles. But the difference for me is I will not burn them in my home. I have an area outside on my patio that I burn store purchased candles. I’m particular about the type of oil I use in my work as well. I try to stay away from synthetic oils as well. If you make your oils the better. But there are some oils I cannot make, because I do not have the recipe. So I purchase specialty oils used in Hoodoo from a reputable maker of Hoodoo oils that I trust.

The above is just something to think about when you put so much goodness into your candles with intention. But what is your candle really made of, since candle manufactures are not required to list ingredient.

[Haruth]

Thanks for that Mozelle

Personal note: To my knowledge there is no agency that regulates candles.

National Candle Association of America regulates such things in the states. The Candlemakers Federation does the same job in the UK.

Though to be perfectly honest, it doesn't look like either organisation actually consider themselves with the safety of ingredients - only the safety aspect of burning the candle itself

[Mozelle]

Thank you Haruth for the sites.
Seems there are concerns about candle wicks (lead Core) which are still on the market. and a concern about incense as well.
You can find some stuff on that at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Some may find this information interesting as well.

Characterization of Indoor Fine Particulate Matter Sources

[Haruth]

Sheesh! That's quite sobering. We burn thousands of candles in this house every year. Most candles available out there have none of this information made available on them.

How can you tell which ones are lead free? Or is the only guarantee to make your own?

[Mozelle]

Personally I avoid big manufactures. For me it’s hard to tell when it comes to the dye and pigment. There are still some candles that are encased that you can look at the wick and tell that there is a wire running down through it. I would avoid these if possible, if you can’t burn them outside. Best to go with a cotton wick or paper type wick. Some small candle companies will put a label on the candle identifying that the candle as lead free.
You can look for a small company online that provides the candle that fits your needs. There are many small business owners out there. with women making candles.

To find out whether a candle has a lead wick, follow these steps:

1) Look for a “lead-free” label when shopping for new candles.

2) For unburnt candles, rub the tip of the wick on a piece of paper. If it leaves a gray mark, like a pencil, the wick contains a lead core. If you’ve already purchased the candle, take it back to the store and tell the manager why you’re demanding a refund.

3) For candles that have already been burned, you should just throw out any that have metal cores as a precaution. Simply look at the tip of the wick and see if it has a metal core. If you still
can’t tell, peel back some of the cotton.

Plus they provide a list of list of candle manufactures that have pledge to use no-lead wicks.
Here’s a list of candle manufacturers that have signed the “no-lead wick pledge."

There is a concern concerning incense as well.
Just keep in mind what your breathing, your children and your beloved pets.

Read FAQ, and Contact maker if the question you have are not there. I mentioned small candle making business, because a lot of the online candle makers that hand pour candles are happy to answer your questions. In addition work with you once you have good communication with them. They simply take pride in their candles. They're not getting rich from candle making, but do it for the joy of making lovely candles. Ask what type of oil is used to fragrance the candle as well. Synthetic oil burning and breathing it is not a great idea either. Just get to know your candle and the maker. Once you find a good one stick with them. Let them know why you love their candles. To encourage them to continue making good candles.

[Briony Haldane]

look at the wick and tell that there is a wire running down through it

Any time you see metal in the wick that means there is lead present and they are to be avoided. This includes aromatherapy candles. Many manufacturers use the metal to keep the wicks stiff, instead of using cotton wicks which can often fall down and extinguish the flame.

Research posted on Snopes.com shows that burning 4 metal wick candles for 2 hours can produce enough lead to harm an adult's health [http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/leadwick.asp] . Children and the elderly are even more at risk. Extinguishing the candles doesn't end the risk as the soot has been deposited on surfaces which they touch and then potentially they put their fingers in their mouths.

[Haruth]

Thanks Mozelle.

Your thread prompted me to do some checking at this end, and I was happy to find that the UK banned the use of lead in candle wicks as far back as the 1970's. That doesn't mean that imported candles are lead free, of course, but it certainly makes it easier to find ones that are lead free.

I do like the idea, however, of buying from small independant manufacturers. Our candle buying habits may indeed change towards supporting cottage industry type enterprises

Thanks for bringing this whole issue to our attention. And I'll be investigating the incense issues as well...

Namaste

[Mozelle]

I forgot to mention another benefit of using Beeswax candles, being expose to negative Ions. Personally I feel like the air I’m breathing is cleaner. When I feel down or worn out I feel uplifted after the candle has been burning for a while. If you have ever been to the Niagara Falls you might notice how happy you feel. This is part due to the Negative Ions. I’ll look and see if I can find more info concerning the effects. Beeswax candles will give you a taste of the affects negative Ions have on your mood and taking the heaviness out of the air.

Negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain; resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and more mental energy," says Pierce J. Howard, PhD, author of The Owners Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind Brain Research and director of research at the Center for Applied Cognitive Sciences in Charlotte, N.C.

Waterfalls have always been the favorite habitat of mystics and artists. The inspiration and romance generated at places like Niagara Falls and Yosemite have a direct relationship to the lowering of serotonin levels in the blood, caused by the waves of negative ions from the spray of these falls.

After a lightning storm, most of us feel invigorated and refreshed. This is because the electrical storm has generated trillions of gloriously tranquilizing negative ions that ease tension and leave us full of energy.

This one is a little of topic because it has to do with the effect of Negative Ion Air Purifiers. But well worth mentioning if you suffer from depression

Studies at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute have demonstrated that High Density Negative Ionizers appear to act as a specific antidepressant for patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

[Briony Haldane]

Don't forget Himalayan Salt Lamps as negative ion generators.

[Celtaur]

Turning on your shower / taking a shower creates negative ions as well. Any moving water does. Turn on a water fountain to enjoy negative ions too. After a Thunderstorm the air is energizing because of negative ion generation.

As far as I know Canada also doesn't create candles with wicks that have lead in them.

Also, anything when burned releases some level of toxins. The act of burning alters chemical composition in anything. If you don't want any toxins in your air you won't be able to burn anything at all, nor drive your car, or cook your food. I love candles too much to give them up. I enjoy beeswax, paraffin and soy candles. Having plants in your home like peace lily's, spider plants, and others that purify your air are a healthy way to keep you air purified.

I think the level of toxicity in modern candles is over-hyped by the natural industry though. I do love natural of course, but you always have to question the source of information... do they have a vested interest in convincing potential customers their product is the best? of course... To overemphasize the competition as negative and create doubt is a major promotional and selling tool for industries.

I'd also like to point out that chemical composition varies greatly from product to product. The point about petroleum and kerosene waste being the primary ingredient for candles - the same as diesel fuel isn't entirely accurate because the processing of molecules, which oil is used for, changes the chemical composition greatly. I remember a friend of mine saying that she wouldn't eat margarine because she heard it was only one molecule away from plastic. If that were true, that one molecule makes a world of difference, and making that edible margarine completely different than non-edible plastic. Think of Carbon dioxide for instance... 1 molecule of carbon, 2 molecules of oxygen. That one molecule of carbon combined with the oxygen creates a world of difference from Oxygen alone. One we breathe as fuel for life, oxygen, the other, still containing oxygen but with carbon attached creates waste that would suffocate us to death. Point being, the arrangement and combination of molecules creates a world of difference in chemistry, even one molecule in a different place on the chain creates a completely different result.

Arometherapists will say that chemicals in fragrances are harmful, even cancerous while competitors will point to the benzene ring in Volatile Organic Compounds in essential oils as harmful, even cancerous. It is tit-for-tat pointing out the negative aspects where most of the information is sourced from. Overall when you hear enough you'll come to the conclusion that everything is bad for us. I remember one of my friends saying "Everything causes cancer" in response to the latest study pointing to a food or products harmfulness... This she stated in frustration knowing that at one time or another everything is deemed "bad for us".

In relation to incense. I do only use natural incense, but honestly prefer essential oils over anything else, well... except resins and smudging herbs. I can't get enough of frankincense or white sage. They also release a level of toxins, again, because burning anything will.

Of course I trust that used in moderation, and living a healthy lifestyle and diet, our bodies abilities to process random toxins (as the liver is designed for) we will be ok. I agree that we need to be aware of what toxins we are or are not bringing into our lives and our environment. I think making sure lead is not in the wick is best.

Weren't candles made with animal fat hundreds of years ago? I wonder if they would release a bbq scent and lots of smoke?