Pooh-Poohing on Paraffin
Paraffin, what do you really know about it? Many people are very strict about riding the vegan and/or alternative candle wax train and tout that they only use these kinds of candles. For the most part, the marketing that surrounds candles containing only soy, coconut, beeswax, and/or other waxes paints paraffin wax in a bad light. But the National Candle Association (NCA) reported the results of a recent international study that they conducted along with the European Candle Manufacturers Association (ECMA) and the Latin American Candle Manufacturers Association (ALAFAVE) of paraffin, soy and other generally used scented and unscented waxes, which found “all well-made candles exhibit the same clean burning behavior, and pose no risk to human health or indoor air quality.”
By and large, candle makers use paraffin wax as a part of a wax blend or sometimes exclusively. Whether consumers know it or not, it is a very common practice. Truth be told, paraffin wax is used in many of today’s beauty products, including facial creams, anti-perspirants and hair pomades. Also, several of today’s popular candle brands, like Bath & Body Works, White Barn, Yankee Candle and WoodWick, use paraffin in their proprietary wax blends. And when it comes to candles that contain fragrances, paraffin has been known to help boost their scent throw. Those who enjoy scented candles know firsthand how important the scent throw can be!
But what’s the controversy surrounding paraffin wax? Why are some people against burning candles that contain it? There are a few reasons, but the primary one to note is subjective. Those who experience headaches, nausea, skin/eye irritations and/or respiratory issues — like those with airborne nut allergies — when burning candles with paraffin may have to steer clear of it. Even with this, there are times when it’s not the wax — it can be the scent that is causing a problem for the user. Either way, a possible remedy could be to burn the candle in a well-ventilated area.
Paraffin can be a big no-no for some candle lovers, but it doesn’t have to be. “To date, no peer-reviewed scientific study has ever collected or analyzed any emissions data on any candle wax, including petroleum-based paraffin, and proven them to be harmful to human health,” says the National Candle Association.Therefore, when it comes down to it, it’s ultimately up to the consumer to make the final decision about purchasing candles that contain paraffin.