The Myths and Facts About the Industry

Recently, the British channel BBC, diffused through one of its programs “Trust Me, I’m a Doctor” an experiment (poorly conducted and unscientific) carried by the National Centre for Atmospheric Sciences (NCAS) from York University, England. The investigation identified limonene, a raw material used to compound fragrances for household products-including candles- as a potential health hazard, given that when exposed to ozone it forms formaldehyde.

18568399_sDespite the fact that the experiment’s content and results are dubious, the vague information has provoked concern, stress and has also unnecessarily alarmed manufacturers, wholesalers, and candle consumers in the world.

For this given reason, in ALAFAVE we have decided to share with our members and friends, through Punto de Fusion, some of the myths and facts related to such study.

+++

MYTH: Scented candles could cause health hazards.

FACT: absolutely, no. The National Candle Association, ensures that when used properly, scented or unscented candles will be safe to burn. The candle industry arranges safety and health tests in all the raw materials they use, including toxicological and dermatological studies. This studies are demanded by safety and regulatory authorities, hence, they are taken very seriously.

Consumers should be confident that a well done candle, and properly used, whether it has fragrance or not, will burn in a clean and safe way. There are not known health hazards associated with the use of scented candles. Approved fragrances for the use in candles, weather they are synthetic or natural do not release toxic materials.

Currently, there are no peer reviewed scientific studies analyzing or testing for candles or wax emissions, including paraffin; neither is there evidence that scented candles are a health hazard.

As candle associations we are compromised with the safety of our products, and for such we base our facts in scientific studies and not through speculative findings. Old stories, proven facts and a series of continued testing derived from technological improvement embrace the narrow relationship between candles and a balanced, relaxed and an aesthetic ambience.

MYTH: Limonene produces formaldehyde when exposed to ozone.

FACT: Yes, this raw material is used to scent cleaners, candles and is also used as a flavor. It does create formaldehyde when exposed to ozone. Humans also produce formaldehyde each time we exhale, this compound is also present in the food we eat. In reality, it can be found everywhere at low and not harmful levels.

Limonene is a natural occurring substance, it is present in trees, citrus and other natural sources. Sometimes it is used in scented products such are candles. Furthermore, formaldehyde is also an organic compound that exist in fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and coffee. It is also produced in humans through metabolism, this is why it can be tracked when we breath\exhale. It is normal to find formaldehyde in our households and air, due to natural processes.

MYTH: If an experiment is presented in T.V it must be trustworthy

FACT: The experiment supported by the National Centre for Atmospheric Sciences (NCAS), from York University, was trying to measure the level of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from households. The T.V program and other media reporting the results online, only focused on the disturbing presence of limonene. However, the test doesn’t even meet the basic standards of control. For example, it doesn’t specify which are the sources of the VOC’s which could have been emitted from a wide variety of products such as furniture, smoke from the chimney or a cigar. Their results don’t have any scientific value, they don’t provide any valuable information and the only thing they did was to jump the gun, misinform, and alarm the consumers by arguing the presence of a compound that at low levels are already part of our environment. In addition, the detailed information from the experiment at York University is not available to the public. The NCA has requested specific data to carefully analyze the results, and of course in ALAFAVE we are ready to collaborate and stand against misleading data.

+++

With all these arguments, we can conclude that even though the program’s name is very attractive “Trust Me, I’m a Doctor,” candle manufacturers have enough facts to answer back: “No, we don’t trust you! Even if you say you’re a Doctor.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fill out this field
Fill out this field
Please enter a valid email address.
You need to agree with the terms to proceed

Alafave