An Aroma That Could Potentially Cause Death

A new study discovers that scented candles could actually be far more harmful than previously thought.

Revisiting the article we wrote earlier this year, whereby it was discovered that scented candles and air fresheners are detrimental to one’s health, a new study conducted by Professor Alastair Lewis of the National Centre for Atmospheric Science at the University of York has found something more chilling; an ingredient that is commonly used to give candles their scent when in contact with air, mutates into formaldehyde, a toxic chemical that is associated with several types of cancers.

The ingredient is known as limonene, a substance that gives off a citrusy scent in products such as scented candles and cleaning products. In its natural state, limonene is considered safe, but when released into the air and reacting with the ozone, one in every two limonene molecules will be transformed into formaldehyde a chemical that is listed by the Health Protection Agency as a possible human carcinogen. This chemical can also cause nosebleeds, sore throats, coughs and stinging eyes.

Now comes the worrying part; although it is scientifically known that limonene, which occurs naturally in plants, can degrade into formaldehyde, the issue with scented candles, air fresheners and cleaning products pose a far more insidious problem, as Professor Lewis discovered that the concentrations of limonene he found in scented candles were up to 100 times higher than previously thought, and coupled with poor ventilation in modern homes results in high concentrations of formaldehyde lingering in homes for a longer period of time and in the process cause long term harm.

Our advice? The best way to ward off the presence of formaldehyde at home is to open your doors and windows after using a scented candle or spraying air freshener, or even better not use any at all.

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