Today is
By: Ikedi Ani-okoye
Ahhhh, the scent and sight of a burning paraffin wax candle and the appealing ambiance that it adds to any room! One may think that this scenario is innocence in its purest sense. There is, after all, that cosy feeling which makes one give thought to everything that's good in this world. That is until you take the time to get acquainted with the darker side of the world of paraffin wax candles.
Did you know that paraffin is a petroleum by-product which means that paraffin wax may be a risk to the well-being of your health? How is that, you ask? Well after petroleum is processed into gasoline, kerosene, motor oil, diesel and other fuels, the additional waste is then used in the production of paraffin which contains harmful toxins and carcinogens. Hmmmm.
The black soot build-up on your walls, ventilating system, furniture and so forth after burning paraffin wax candles is similar in composition to diesel soot. This dirty matter makes a deposit of unwanted and dangerous pollutants into our homes that endanger the health and welfare of family, pets, and ourselves if breathed into our collective lungs. Studies have shown that cancer-causing agents released through paraffin wax candles are just as toxic as second hand cigarette smoke and can cause damage to the heart, lungs, circulatory system and nervous system. This is not a adept thing.
Why then have scented candle sales increased to over 2 billion dollars annually over the last decade according to the National Candle connexion? I'm not sure but I'd hazard a guess that the mesmerizing glow and soothing fragrances are part of why seven out of every ten households burn candles regularly.
Here's a question, though, that I'd like to pose to anyone that subscribes to the rules of common sense. It’s the one that your parents or teachers of yesteryear asked if the majority was acting in an intellectually challenged way. I'll paraphrase it here: "If everyone was jumping off a cliff, would you do the same thing?" The same thing holds for paraffin wax candles but what alternatives are there to break this dangerous habit?
I'm glad that you asked. The answer is Soy Candles. Why the pleasure for soy? Soy wax is 100% vegetable by-product and not a petroleum by-product. Soy is completely non-toxic and non-carcinogenic and soy candles produce little or no soot to damage the surrounding room or to those with allergies or breathing troubles. Soy wax is environmentally safe, biodegradable and is easily cleaned up with just soap and water.
Hold on, I'm not completed yet....Soy candles burn cleanly and evenly leaving very little to zero extra wax on the sides of the jar to eliminate waste. They also burn cooler than most paraffin wax candles which will lessen the risk of serious burns from melted wax. These babies also burn 30 to 50 percent longer than paraffin wax candles which make them more economical to use. They also seem to hold their fragrances exceedingly well compared to the naughty petroleum by-product kind.
Ok, Ok just one more reason to think so. These candles are made from 100% soybean wax developed from soybeans grown correctly smack here in the USA. So what? Well, this not only gains our environment but also supports our local agricultural industry. It appears that soy candles beat those bad-boy cousins on every level.
Ya got to get the facts before indulging in the delight of enjoying the world of candles. Think outside the box and do the right thing. Your life and others may very well depend on it!
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