A health authority has recently cautioned against a beloved holiday gift item. According to the expert, scented candles might contribute to respiratory issues.

These candles are cherished by many for creating a cozy, festive atmosphere and imbuing homes with delightful aromas. However, beyond the evident fire hazard, they may also pose some less obvious health risks.

General Practitioner Dr. Neel Patel from LloydsPharmacy highlighted that holiday candles might provoke reactions akin to allergies due to the substances they emit. He pointed out, “Numerous scented candles are infused with synthetic fragrances, dyes, and additives, which release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when ignited.”

“These compounds have the potential to irritate the respiratory tract, causing symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, or nasal congestion,” Dr. Patel elaborated. Consequently, he advised individuals who are sensitive to these chemicals to steer clear of such candles.

Furthermore, he recommended, “For those with heightened sensitivity, opting for unscented candles is a safer choice.” His guidance aligns with a 2023 editorial in the Annals of Medicine and Surgery.

The publication noted, “Burning scented candles indoors releases various harmful gases. These range from those that are harmless to some that may pose cancer risks.”

They warned: “A number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that have been identified as carcinogens, such as naphthalene, anthracene, and pyrene, were also found in candle fumes that are products of wax, aroma substances, or combustion dyes.” They listed “common” complaints from people exposed to scented candles as:

• Vertigo
• Headaches
• Mucosa irritation
• Respiratory issues
• Watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Stuffy nose
• Chest tightness
• A dry or irritated throat

They continued: “When burning scented candles indoors, quantities of pollutants such as formaldehyde, CO2, and volatile organic compounds [VOCs] were measured that were higher than background levels, showing that the candles were one of the sources of indoor pollution.” They added that some coloured candle waxes contain dyes “which have been associated with urothelial cancer [a type of bladder cancer] development”.

“Frequent consumption of scented candles for quite a long time and their use in inadequately ventilated rooms may increase the chance of developing urothelial cancer,” they said. Overall, they recommended that people use candles manufactured from natural materials such as beeswax and scented with essential oils rather than synthetic perfumes.

They also recommended only burning candles in ventilated rooms. However, one expert noted that scented candles only produce small amounts of VOCs.

Pulmonologist Doctor Renee Dixon, told the Cleveland Clinic, that candles present “no imminent danger”. She explained that indoor cooking is more dangerous as it increases the particulate matter in the air and has been linked to respiratory illnesses.

She said: “You just have to be mindful about investing in high-quality candles and keeping them in well-ventilated areas.” But she acknowledged the potential link between candles and bladder cancer.

“All these volatile organic hydrocarbons accumulate in the blood,” she said. “They eventually get excreted through the bladder, hence the link with bladder cancer.”

Therefore, she said people living with or in remission from bladder cancer might want to avoid cancles, as well as people with chronic lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

How to safely burn candles:

• Use high-quality candles
• Burn your candle in a well-ventilated room, far removed from anything that could catch fire
• Never burn a candle for more than four hours
• Never leave a candle unattended, and don’t burn it if you may fall asleep
• Instead of blowing a candle out or using a snuffer, use a wick dipper to gently submerge the wick in the wax pool. This method doesn’t generate any smoke or wax splatter
• Don’t attempt to touch or reposition your candle until it’s had time to cool
• Use alternatives to candles such as flameless candles or wax melts