Your Cheerful Scented Candles and Air Fresheners Have a Dark Side


Vanilla Bliss. Pumpkin Spice Delight. Crisp Winter Magic.

The fragrance industry has us wrapped around their fingers. After all, who doesn’t want the house to smell like sugar cookies or pecan pie?



Sick Season

It’s the time of year when candles become central to our dinner tables and hearths. Cheesy, holiday-themed air freshener commercials tug at our heartstrings (If my guest bath smelled like pine trees, all would be well in my world.)

But don’t go falling for that shit just yet.


Facts and Figures

A recent study from Emory University in Atlanta and the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic suggests that air fresheners are an allergy attack waiting to happen. The chemical additives can trigger asthma, cold symptoms, lung problems and reproductive complications. Most popular household air fresheners were found to contain formaldyhyde, phalates and even chemicals that were linked to impaired genital development.

Seriously. Get your kids away from the scented plug-ins.

Candle Magic

Feeling smug cause you already swore off air fresheners? Switching to scented candles ain’t any better, babe. Most commercial scented candles contain a laundry list of nasty crap. Experts at the American Lung Association contend that these bad boys are one of the biggest offenders when it comes to indoor air quality and seasonal sickness.


Lead in Your Head

So what’s the big deal with burning your Berries and Cream tealights?  Lead, among other things. Candles made with metal wicks can cause lead emissions, which are then deposited in your home for your continued enjoyment. Lead exposure can lead to serious health complications - cancer, auto-immune disorders, organ damage and other fun stuff. Plus, your kiddies are picking it up and eating it when they touch the walls, carpet or furniture and then stick their hands in their mouths. Yum.

Labels Shmabels

Not all scented candles or air fresheners are going to kill you. But the labels aren’t going to tell you much, either. That’s why it’s important to use your head. With candles, avoid ones that have wicks with a shiny metal center. Opt for cotton or paper wicks instead. Also, be wary of slow-burning candles – these tend to have more additives. Another thing? If burning a candle creates a smoky film around the ring of the jar, toss that shit. It could be an indication of lead dust.


Healthy Scents

Don’t worry. You don’t have to give up your favorite holiday scents. There are plenty of vegan, non-toxic candles on the market. Look for soy-based candles or buy them online to ensure you're safe.

Addicted to your air fresheners? Get an oil diffuser instead. Blend a few drops of essential oils like peppermint, cinnamon or eucalyptus and you can create your own non-toxic, signature holiday scent.

Do you know of a good natural/vegan candle company? Tell us in the comments section below!


Mara Tyler, Managing Editor of HealthyBitchDaily.com
Mara Tyler is a health and wellness die-hard with a penchant for sarcasm. A former public relations and marketing professional, she's helped grow bleeding-heart health and fitness startups into successful companies with the wave of her magic wand. When she’s not berating her friends for eating Big Macs or preaching to her family about the wonders of green smoothies, she can be found reading bad chick lit, scouting out new indie bands or attempting to find bliss in yoga. Mara lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.




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