About Paraffin Wax

There are three main reasons many people avoid buying petroleum (paraffin) products:

• Petroleum smoke/exhaust contains many carcinogenic toxins and produces ugly black soot
• Petroleum is not a renewable resource and it is of a limited supply
• Burning petroleum products creates air pollution and contributes to global warming

11 carcinogenic compounds

Paraffin candles contain up to 11 carcinogenic compounds. These 11 compounds have been deemed 'toxic air contaminants' by the State of California. An air quality researcher, David Krause, has documented evidence that candle soot particles contain many of the same compounds given off from burning diesel fuel.

In the Nov/Dec 2000 edition of the Emagazine, in an article titled, 'The Inside Scoop,' Kathleen O'Neil writes that a recent study of residents in both residential and an industrial areas found chemical levels in the subjects' bodies indicating they had received doses of pollutants in their homes five to 70 times higher than the highest outdoor levels. Burning candles are listed in the article as contributing their share of indoor pollution.

Paraffin Wax is a Health hazard

Health hazards are being created when paraffin (petroleum-based wax) is mixed with synthetic fragrance (some not even meant for combustion), and are compounded with chemical fixatives, synthetic glosses and bleached cotton wicks. Health problems have been more evident in the past five or so years due to the increase in popularity of highly scented candles. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of home and furniture damage have been reported, causing a battle with insurance companies and retailers of the candles.

Candle ingredients are not required to be listed

Unfortunately, a large percentage of the human population is not aware of candle ingredients, although awareness is growing. One reason is that candle ingredients are not required to be listed, and labels are often worded in such a way that some consumers think they are buying healthy, aromatherapy candles, when in reality the candle is mostly a petroleum wax, synthetic scent, synthetic fixatives, with a little bit of plant essential oil added in. Even if a candle is labeled as being made of beeswax, often there is paraffin as well. The wicks are usually made of chemically grown cotton that has been bleached using dioxins. Wicks that have a metal, or zinc core, contain small amounts of lead.

Most department stores provide no other option than to buy paraffin candles. However, some natural food stores have began carrying plant-wax candles.

Beware of "SOY BLENDS" that DO have Paraffin in them!

Soy wax candles contain no lead, no petroleum, no chemical/synthetic fixatives or glosses, no animal products/by-products, and must use 100% naturally grown hemp, cotton, or HTP fiber wicks. Soy bean wax is 100% biodegradable and produces very little soot if any, with 0% petrol-soot emissions.

About Soy wax, what you may not know.

• Soy candles have a stronger scent throw.
• Soy candles burn at a much cooler and safer temperature than paraffin.
• Soy candles produce 95% less soot and smoke than their paraffin-based counterparts.
• Soy candles don't expend fossil fuels, or release chemicals during the burn, the ecological alternative.
• Soy candles provide another market for our renewable agricultural products, helps to keep our farmers working.
• Soy wax is non-toxic...safer around children and pets.
• Soy wax cleans up easily with soap and water.
• Soy wax is water-soluble and can be easily extracted from glass, tin and other materials for effective recycling.

To VIEW Soy candles, CLICK HERE