Wax candles during the Advent season - fine dust

The Advent season is associated with the warm, cozy candlelight of wax candles, which spreads a contemplative mood. Scented candles, which smell intensely of different aromas and create a festive atmosphere, are particularly popular. However, when burning for hours, wax candles can release harmful pollutants into the air in the room. The materials the candles are made of and how they burn are decisive factors here. When choosing candles, you should pay attention to the ingredients and type of wax they are made of.

Pollutants in candle burning

Burning a candle consumes a lot of oxygen over a long period of time. It becomes critical for health, especially for asthmatics and allergy sufferers, when pollutants such as fine dust, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile hydrocarbons are released and inhaled. Benzene, toluene, formaldehyde and fragrances and their oxidation products can also be released into the air we breathe, especially with colored or scented candles. Limit values can be exceeded, especially when burning a large number of candles at the same time. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) warns that candles can contain allergenic ingredients such as fragrances or nickel, which can trigger allergic reactions when burned. This can also lead to inflammation, irritation of the respiratory tract and further strain on the lungs. Existing conditions such as asthma can be exacerbated.

Ultra-fine particulate matter – an underestimated danger

The fine dust particles contained in candle smoke are ultra-fine (PM 0.01, around 10 nanometers in diameter) and can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and even into the bloodstream. It becomes particularly harmful when the concentration of fine dust increases by a factor of 10 to 20 as a result of burning and is inhaled over many hours in the room. This situation can be a health problem for people with respiratory diseases or allergies. Compared to harmful tobacco smoke, the fine dust particles from candle smoke are even finer and more harmful to health.

Selection of wax candles

Wax candles can vary greatly in terms of their composition and possible harmful substances:

Kerosene candles

Most candles contain kerosene wax, which is mainly a by-product of petroleum processing. Kerosene is a flammable, waxy substance that is odorless, tasteless and water-repellent. The possible toxic combustion substances are particularly critical to health. One of these pollutants is the VOC benzene, which is produced during the combustion of kerosene candles and is generally more likely to be detected in road traffic. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), benzene is classified as carcinogenic to humans.

Tea lights, which are mostly made of kerosene candles, are also considered to be critical to health. According to the BUND (Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland), their higher sulphur content can release more pollutants and cause allergic reactions.

Stearin candles

Another variant are stearin candles. They are made from vegetable and animal fats and often contain palm oil. Stearin candles have a longer burning time and greater strength. In addition, they are said to release less harmful soot in fine dust compared to kerosene candles.

Candles made from recycled materials

In particular, candles are offered that are made from from recycled oil and fat waste and manufactured in a resource-saving manner.

Beeswax candles

Beeswax candles are made exclusively from honeycomb wax. Only candles made from pure beeswax may be sold as “beeswax candles”. They are the most environmentally friendly option, especially if the wax comes from an organic beekeeping operation.

Soy wax candles and rapeseed oil candles

Soy wax candles are made from the oil of soybeans, most of which come from the USA. They burn more slowly than comparable kerosene candles. Wax candles made from rapeseed oil are also sustainable, as they are obtained from agricultural products. They offer the advantage of a lower carbon footprint and are considered more environmentally friendly, as rapeseed is usually grown in Europe. Like beeswax candles, they produce significantly less soot than kerosene candles.

Scented candles

Especially in the winter season scented candles with aromas are particularly popular.

Scented candles are generally even more harmful to health than conventional wax candles, as they are often contaminated with additional problematic ingredients such as varnishes and fragrances. For example, they may contain carcinogenic formaldehyde (e.g. in lemon fragrances), harmful flame retardants, organohalogen compounds or heavy metals.

RAL quality mark

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR ) recommends looking for the RAL Quality Mark when buying candles. The “Quality Association for Candles” awards the RAL Quality Mark (Standard: RAL-GZ 041). This is awarded to candles that meet certain quality standards and guarantee only low emissions of harmful substances. They must be made from tested raw materials and must not contain PAHs, heavy metals or sulphur. In addition, they may only produce a small amount of smoke and soot when burning.

Tips for handling wax candles

It is best to use pure wax candles as they are the most environmentally friendly. Wax candles made from pure beeswax are the best choice.
Pay attention to possible harmful additives in the candles.
If possible, do not use candles with additional decorations such as colors, glitter or fragrances.
Keep sufficient distance: At least 10 cm between burning candles so that they receive sufficient oxygen and produce less smoke.
Avoid draughts: Flickering flames lead to increased soot formation and the release of pollutants such as formaldehyde, PAH, nitrogen oxides and soot.
Keep the wick as short as possible (approx. 10-15 mm) to avoid flickering.
To extinguish, dip the wick into the liquid wax and raise it again.
Air the room thoroughly after burning the candle.

Sources:

www.bfr.bund.de/cm/343/blei-nickel-und-allergene-duftstoffe-in-kerzen-sollten-begrenzt-werden.pdf

www.br.de/radio/bayern1/inhalt/experten-tipps/umweltkommissar/kerze-wachs-palmoel-stearin-russ-umweltkommissar-100.html

www.daab.de/2024/12/kerzen-und-asthma-winterzeit-ist-kerzenzeit

www.de.statista.com/outlook/cmo/moebel/home-decor/kerzen/deutschland

www.energie-umwelt.ch/haus/kinderzimmer/mueckenvertreiber?id=774

www.green-lifestyle-magazin.de/nachhaltige-kerzen-aus-bienen-oder-sojawachs/

www.krebsinformationsdienst.de/fachkreise/nachrichten/detail/krebs-durch-kerzen-besteht-ein-risiko

www.quarks.de/umwelt/wie-nachhaltig-koennen-kerzen-sein/

www.ral.de/guetezeichen-von-a-z/guetezeichen-uebersicht/gz-041/ www.spektrum.de/news/kerzen-ein-feinstaub-freisetzendes-lichtlein-brennt/2090643

www.verbraucherzentrale.de/wissen/umwelt-haushalt/wohnen/kerzen-schadstoffe-vermeiden-78123

www.zdf.de/nachrichten/ratgeber/kerzen-schadstoffe-advent-100.html