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Scented wax melts are small, highly fragranced wax pieces that release aroma when heated indoors. Unlike traditional candles, they do not burn, making them a cleaner, safer, smoke-free, and supposedly non-toxic alternative. However, a recent study suggests that scented wax melts release high levels of volatile organic compounds comparable to burning candles and even diesel engines. Inhaling these particles has been associated with health risks such as asthma and atherosclerosis.
The main offenders are terpenes, which are volatile fragrances that release hazardous airborne nanoparticles that react with indoor ozone at significantly higher levels than many outdoor pollutants. When scented wax melts are in use, around 280 million particles per minute can penetrate deep into the lungs, an exposure level far exceeding normal indoor air conditions.
Researchers tested 15 commercially available wax melts, both scented and unscented, in a model home. They first measured baseline indoor air pollution before activating a wax warmer for approximately two hours. Throughout and after this period, they continuously sampled the air a few yards from the wax melts.
The findings revealed airborne nanoparticles, ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers in size, at concentrations similar to those previously reported for traditional burning candles. Because of their microscopic size, these particles present an inhalation risk, capable of passing through respiratory tissues and entering the bloodstream. Previous studies have linked high levels of indoor airborne nanoparticles to health risks, including reduced cognitive function and a higher incidence of childhood asthma.
This study indicates that scented wax melts may not be a cleaner substitute for traditional candles. Unlike outdoor pollution, which disperses more easily, fragrance nanoparticles can build up indoors, resulting in prolonged exposure, especially in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.
The researchers stress the need for further toxicology studies to assess the health risks of inhaling nanoparticles produced by wax melts.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Flame-Free Candles Are Not Pollution-Free: Scented Wax Melts as a Significant Source of Atmospheric Nanoparticles
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