Scented Candles Stink

It’s that time of year, the most glorious time of year for the senses. The sound of people bustling to get ready for the holidays, humming songs like “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” the sight of our first snowfall come and gone, the taste of pumpkin in almost everything we eat and drink, the feel of cozy flannel and fleece, and the sweet seasonal smell of burning formaldehyde? Unfortunately, yes. Those beautifully (although some I think are less so) scented candles you get and give as gifts and buy to make the house smell more like home are in fact petroleum wax with ingredients often containing formaldehyde and benzene. In fact, the EPA has released an article confirming their indoor pollutant status. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you. I’m sure you’re all reading this and wondering when I’m ever going to have good news to share with you. I will, I promise, but for now: hold on to your hats, it gets worse. These candles have been confirmed as causing everything from asthma to cancer. As a matter of fact, regular burning of scented candles in low ventilation (rooms such as bathrooms) can be as bad for you as cigarette smoke.

Ok, Vicky…you win. I’ll use air fresheners to get the same effect. If that’s where your brain went, prepare to be even more disappointed. The reason that a candle holds its scent is the wax content. Ever wonder what is holding the scent in an air freshener? Probably not, but I’ll be you are now! Phthalates. The same chemicals that are used to soften plastic are used to give your air fresheners that lingering scent. Repeated inhalation of phtalates has been shown to cause developmental and reproductive issues most especially in babies. You think I’m overreacting? The EPA has and continues to discuss de-legalizing the manufacturing of these products because of their negative health impacts.

So, now what? Scents are definite memory triggers and a big part of what makes our holiday traditions special. I understand that. I wasn’t going to leave you without options. Although any prolonged exposure to smoke is harmful to our lungs and oxygen levels, the key is moderation. On those days with friends and family gathered around, when you most especially want your house to smell like home, here are some tips.

• Have a fireplace? Go ahead and use it.
• Try REAL INCENSE. Not incense sticks. You can find Myrrh and Frankincense still today. Burning in a dish or even just left out they (not surprisingly) make a lovely and perhaps the most traditional Christmas scent.
• Hot apple cider. Keep a pot of hot apple cider with lots of cinnamon warm on the stove. Making your own is as simple as pure apple juice not from concentrate heated up with the juice of one lemon and cinnamon and clove to taste. A fantastic smell and taste!
• Love the smell of vanilla? Put a few tablespoons in an oven safe ramekin and place in the oven on low heat. The smell will start wofting through your house like the smell of fresh baked cookies without the calories.
• The best smell I can think of on a holiday is the smell of a home cooked meal. So by all means, cook away. Check out our Fit and Fast Thanksgiving menu for ideas on how prepare a fantastic, homey, delicious holiday meal and still give your family the nutrition they need.

Listen, I’m not trying to spoil your holidays. In fact, I’m trying to make them brighter by informing you of just how stinky those scented candles and air fresheners are. If you’re planning a houseful of people, don’t expose them to chemicals. Rather, celebrate with them in the warmth of a natural home. Happy Holiday Season, everyone. I am excited to share this time with all of you.

Peace and Blessings,

Vicky

The Dangers of Scented Candles and Air Fresheners

Are you unknowingly polluting the air in your home?  Do your children suffer with asthma or allergies?  Anything bizarre going on with respiratory issues in your home?  What I mean by that is, have you gone to a physician, especially an allergist; and they cannot get to the bottom of your congestion?

It has been a very, very long time since I have burned scented candles.  It has also been a very long time since I have used air fresheners.  Just last week I was at a wonderful family gathering having great fun with family members.  Within two to three hours of being at this event I began to have trouble breathing.  Now I think I’m pretty sharp but quite frankly folks it took a little while for me to realize what the culprit was.  Of course a few more hours later whereby I began to sneeze and cough.  Frankly, it’s as bad as it sounds folks, I was not doing well.  All of a sudden a light bulb went off and in a Sherlock Holmes moment, as I walked around this home I realized there were two scented candles lit and had been all day.  Additionally, I began to notice air fresheners plugged in to the walls.

“Scented candles and air fresheners emit VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, which are chemicals that form a gas or vapor at room temperature. The VOCs present in air fresheners often include formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, limonene, alcohol and esters”, states Dr. Stanley Fineman, an allergist from Atlanta, GA.  Lest you think I make this stuff up folks!  Actually it is much worse than you might think.  Since this unfortunate event in my life last week I did quite a bit of research on scented candles and air fresheners.  The stories I found are quite scary.  In fact so many of the stories led me to believe that if you are one of those individuals who adores the smell of scented candles and enjoys them often, you may want to check lead levels in your home; especially if you have small children.

Now years ago the industry was forced to change from lead in the wicks to zinc.  But, the question remains; is there still some amount of lead in the wicks?  I’m not sure folks, I am certain that there are candle companies out there that would dispute that there are any harmful affects at all.  My interest is to share my own personal experience with you.  Quite frankly until my own experience last week, I had not considered the very real dangers of these sweet smelling items.  I should also tell you it took me a couple of days to recover and breath normally.  So let me be emphatic about this, if you have young children, I should think you’d want to think twice about using scented candles.

Here’s more food for thought, with so many funky smells in the work place, many people tend to use plug in air fresheners.  So from here on let’s reconsider and if you like your co-workers simply opt out of the plug in air fresheners!

As usual, in my effort not to be a “Debbie Downer” let me propose the following:  there are many natural, glorious items you can utilize to freshen up your environment.  For example, here is one of my favorite ways.  In a small pot combine water, chopped apples, cinnamon sticks and cloves; bring to a boil than lower to a simmer.  Oh and by the way, if you are in a work environment why not consider a little vitamin C?  Bring an orange or grapefruit with you to nosh on.  Don’t dispose of the skins, place them in a bowl or even in your open trash can and let them sit for a few days.  I promise they might actually freshen up your work environment.