With almost tens of millions of candles being sold yearly and is believed to be worth Pounds125 millions, it can be said that candles are still very popular nowadays. With this huge number of candles bring sold and being burned and used, scientists and researchers ventured on the effects on health of candle smoke.

A recent study at the South Carolina State University found out that candle fumes, especially in closed and unventilated spaces, can cause health problems like asthma, allergies and even cancer. According to Amid Hamidi, the co-author of the research, candles made from paraffin wax emit fumes that pose health threats to individuals. However, he clarified that lighting candles in unventilated and closed spaces for a longer time can be the cause of these problems. He also stressed that occasional paraffin-made candles' emissions can cause you no harm.

This study is based on experimenting burning candles in a small chamber for five hours. The chemicals released in the small chamber are then soaked in charcoal and were put under a spectrogram to identify the chemicals present. It was found out that paraffin-based candles have chemicals like toluene and benzene. Toluenene can cause dizziness and benzene is a known carcinogen, which incidentally is also present in tobacco smoke. The study also experimented with candles created from soy and beeswax. They found out that they are free from these hazardous chemicals. This study can be found in a publication of the American Chemical Society.

With the advent of these new findings, experts have this to say. Dr Noemi Eiser, the Honorary Medical Director of the British Lung Foundation, said and reassured the public that the occasional use of paraffin candles should not have health effects especially on lung health. Dr. Joanna Owens of the Cancer Research UK reiterates that no hard and direct evidence yet is linked with everyday use of paraffin candles. She also stressed that in terms of indoor-air pollution, a more concrete linkage with cancer is attributed to second-hand smoke. She also reminded the public that risk factors associated with cancer, such as obesity, unhealthy diet and lifestyle, inactivity, smoking and alcohol are the topmost concerns when it comes to cancer.

With these experts' advice, it is important to note that candles - be it paraffin, soy or beeswax should be used with utmost care. So the next time you soak in the tub after enjoying an aromatherapy essential oils, make sure that you open your bathroom windows to have the trapped fumes circulate in the air. Making your room airy and well-ventilated is important especially after lighting even organic candles.