As noted in the first half of this series, lead filled candles may be lurking in your house. While this seems like a new discovery, in reality the practice of using lead in candle wicks apparently has gone on for some time. According to associations governing candle manufacturers in the US, around the 1970's a collective promise was made not to ever use lead in candles again. While it appears the American candle companies are keeping to their promise, candles from other countries seem to continue the practice. One organization for public safety stated thousands of candles each year are being sold in the US which contain lead. The original use for metal wicks containing lead (or tin) was to keep it erect in candles that were of a soft medium. This could include gel candles of today. As the art of candle making shifted to the mass production of products, corners were cut to drive profits higher. The use of colorants and fragrances also made candles more costly to produce. The use of metal wicks was likely purely for the productivity of factory production.
The disturbing thought is it was found one candle with a lead-filled metal wick caused levels of lead in a room (in which the candle was burned) to become 33% above normal. Imagine if multiple numbers of candles were being burned. Sadly the most vulnerable to lead poisoning are children. Many developmental problems can be caused by lead and with candles; it is so needless if people would take the time to investigate what they are really buying. Many will also forget their favorite felines which are very vulnerable to the toxic effects of certain candles. On a recent television program, one woman recounted how her cat, locked in the bathroom with a lit candle, needed veterinary care do to an overload of toxins in its system. How many of us have spent a few hours in a bathroom with a lit candle? Many times with the door closed.
One study noted that women were the main group buying candles in general. They were also the ones who were most often using candles. Men seeming could care less about the craze. So in reality, it is women who are likely the ones most frequently suffering the effects of toxic candles.
-MAM
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