In an article published in an Eastern United States newspaper, candles were recently discussed in a glowing manner. Complete with subdued input from candle lovers who just happened to also sell candle products. As with many candle advertisements, scented candles were the main topic of choice, explaining how pleasing they can be and even healthful. Some of the interview subjects even noted how they burned double-digit numbers of candles at the same time without suffering any ill effects and will continue to do so. Concerns over candle safety were given but a few lines of ink and those bringing such issues to the publics attention were called "Health Police" or something similar. Of course such an article only showed poor taste and journalistic ability of the paper instead of calming the backlash of reports about new candle toxicity issues, which was obviously the hidden agenda.
Surely, one interviewed family on a news program would not have agreed with the articles one-sided view after their candle burning experience. Showing what they thought was restraint and common sense, they limited their candle burning to a single scented votive placed in the family room. However, after a short while all members of the family, including the young son began to show signs of extreme forgetfulness. While the adults, who were of middle age, could somewhat understand their loss of daily memory, they could not understand why their son was also suffering the same symptoms. They ultimately paid a visit to their medical physician. Tests showed that their level of lead in their blood was above what was excepted as safe. The task then turned to finding what was slowly poisoning them. It turned out the candle they had purchased was made with a metal wick containing lead. As it burned, it slowly released lead into the air. This prompted recalls and further investigations into candles not created in the US. What is disturbing is that this set of events occurred before the writing of the newspaper piece. Instead of including information on how to protect yourself from lead filled candles, it dwelled on how wonderful candles can make you feel.
Many people likely never knew candles were even made with metal wicks, let alone they may be presently exposed to lead poisoning. To test your candles, burn the wick a few minutes (outdoors) and then take a piece of white paper. Rub the wick on the paper. Can you draw with it like a pencil? If so, discard it at once. Home lead tests can also be used to test candlewicks and candles themselves. When FDA guidelines are not used, who knows what is being used in commercially made candles to cut corners and drive up profits. This combined with recent deaths due to candles being left burning in unoccupied rooms (or while the victim slept) and those made with chemical scents likely contributing to asthma problems, leaves the need to realistically look at how candles should play a roll in our dally lives. Likely, they are best used outdoors or for special occasions. If an aromatic effect is wanted, a diffuser of real essential oils will likely be a much better choice. Many burn candles in an attempt to return to the era of simplicity and romance. However, as the PBS series "1900's House" showed, air quality of Victorian homes was many times not healthy because of candles and open flame lamps. This caused many to have decreased lung capacity and an early demise.
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