When burning, lead-cored wicks emit large amounts of lead into the air which is deposited on furniture, walls, and the floor. What’s worse, burning multiple candles can elevate it above OSHA permissible exposure limits of 50 micrograms/m3. So how is that possible when in 2003, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted unanimously to ban the manufacture and sale of lead-cored wicks and candles with lead-cored wicks?
35% of the candles in the US contain candle wicks that are poisoning the clean air you breathe
Most, but not all, of the candle manufacturers in the United States have agreed not to use lead in the wicks of candles. But more than 35% of the candles in the US are imported from China and Hong Kong and contain lead wicks where the rules and regulations do not include strict adherence to the same standards as United States candle manufacturers. These cheap, imported candles contain lead wicks that are poisoning the air you breathe that goes into your lungs and bloodstream.
How do you know if you are burning safe, clean candles?
How do you know if you are burning safe, clean candles? Look for a “lead-free” label when shopping for new candles. Read the ingredients of how the candles were made. Another indicator to know if you are burning safe, clean candles is whether there is black soot or film residue around the rim of your candles. Candles made with clean plant-based wax generally use clean, safe wicks that do not omit soot when burned.
Look to buy your candles from a local family-run store or local candle maker and ask to inquire where they sourced their candles and materials. Try your local farmers’ market, where you can build trust with the seller. Hand-poured candles are usually safer options but it’s recommended you do your research on where the candle’s materials were sourced.
Try the ‘No-Lead Test’ on your candle to avoid lead wicks that are poisoning
Try the ‘No-Lead Test’ on your candle to avoid lead wicks. If you have a candle that has not been burned yet, rub the tip of the wick on a piece of paper. If it leaves a gray mark, like a pencil, the wick contains a lead core. If you’ve already purchased the candle, take your candle back to the store and demand a refund. If you have already burned your candle and you did the ‘no-lead test’ and it failed the test, you should just throw the candle as a precaution. It is not worth indoor airborne lead exposure from your candles. These candles contain lead candle wicks that are poisoning the clean air you breathe.
Candles with lead wicks that poison the air can lead to health concerns
According to the EPA’s research, candles with lead wicks have the potential to generate indoor airborne lead concentrations of health concern. Consumers unknowingly purchase lead wick candles and unwittingly expose themselves to harmful amounts of lead through regular candle-burning. Avoid generating indoor airborne lead exposure by buying a candle that offers 100% cotton wicks or wood wicks. These wicks are safe for burning and will provide a cleaner, healthier burning candle.
Beware of lead candle wicks that are poisoning your air. Even low-level exposure to lead poisoning have the ability to affect the central nervous system and can cause:
- neurobehavioral changes
- hypertension
- kidney disease
- increased depression
- phobic anxiety symptoms
- mood and personality changes
- irritability
- aggressiveness
- changes in sleep patterns
- hyperactivity
- learning difficulties
- difficulty concentrating
- memory loss
- lethargy
- loss of appetite
- difficulty breathing
Beware of lead candle wicks that are poisoning your air
The kinds of candle wicks that are safe for burning and are not poisoning the clean air you breathe are made with natural organic materials such as wood and cotton. Read our blog on how to shop for candles with quality candle wicks. These wicks offer a cleaner burning candle. PureSoapsAndCandles is a company that only uses organic materials when making candles. They make two different kinds of candles called the Southern Blaze Collection and the Northern Luminary Collection. Southern Blaze is made with 100% coconut blended with 100% soy wax.
Southern Blaze candles offer a dual 100% wooden & 100% cotton wick for an enjoyable crackling sound. Our wood wick lotion candles are made with 100% clean, natural ingredients. The Northern Luminary collection is made with 100% beeswax, 100% coconut, and 100% soy blended wax. Northern Luminary luxury lotion candles are housed in a beautiful frosted container with a natural 100% wood cover to protect the natural robust aroma.
Why risk your health and your family’s health over cheaply made candles. Beware of lead candle wicks that are poisoning the clean air you breathe. Enjoy better overall air quality and wellness candles by PureSoapsAndCandles
The CPSC ban applied to both domestic and imported products, making it illegal to manufacture, import, and sell lead wicks and candles containing lead wicks…that was 20 years ago. How is it then that as of the date of this article, which is only 2 years old, that 35% of all candles in the US contain poisonous wicks? The CPSC link you refer to doesn’t even state this. Where are you getting this information?
Great Question Carter. Candles that are manufactured in China do not adhere to the same manufacturing regulations as candles manufactured in the USA. China continues to manufacture candles using lead wicks and toxic ingredients. Companies in the USA are still importing these toxic candles. These toxic imports still account for approximately 35% of candles being used in the USA.
Alibaba offers 840 TOXIC Candle options and they proudly tell you that their suppliers and products are poisoning the families that purchase these candles.
https://www.alibaba.com/countrysearch/CN/toxic-candles.html
About product and suppliers:
Alibaba.com offers 840 toxic candles products. such as home decoration, birthdays, and parties. You can also choose from soy wax, paraffin wax, and beeswax. As well as from 6 color, 1 color, and 4 color. And whether toxic candles is pillar, flower, or ball.