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Quick Summary of the Facts
The following quick facts were taken from the website of The National Candle Association, the governing body of candle manufacturers in the United States.
* Paraffin wax is toxic. False
* Soy wax is water soluble. False.
* Soy wax is biodegradable while Paraffin wax is not. False.
* Candles made with “natural” ingredients are safer. False.
* Soy candles do not soot and paraffin candles cause soot. False.
* Soot from candles is harmful. False.
The National Candle Association
Who Is the National Candle Association(NCA)?
The NCA is the major trade association representing U.S. candle manufacturers and their suppliers.
Founded in 1974, NCA acts as the collective voice for the candle industry in promoting the safe use and enjoyment of candles, pursuing product excellence through quality formulation, monitoring and responding to issues impacting the industry, and advancing the industry as a whole.
The National Candle Association is widely recognized as the leading technical authority on candles and candle manufacturing. Its member companies account for more than 90 percent of all candles made in the United States.
The following information was taken directly from the National Candle Association's website.
NCA Website - FAQ Section
Are certain candle waxes better than others?
No. All types of candle waxes perform well, and will burn cleanly and safely when they are of high quality. U.S. candle manufacturers select waxes or blends of waxes based on their suitability for specific types of candles or formulation profiles, as well as their own candle-making preferences.
Is paraffin wax toxic?
No. Paraffin wax is non-toxic. In fact, paraffin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in food, cosmetics, and medical applications. Food-grade paraffin is commonly used for manufacturing candles.
Is candle soot harmful?
No. The minuscule amount of soot produced by a candle is the natural byproduct of incomplete combustion. Candle soot is composed primarily of elemental carbon particles, and is similar to the soot given off by kitchen toasters and cooking oils. These everyday household sources of soot are not considered a health concern, and are chemically different from the soot formed by the burning of diesel fuel, coal, gasoline, etc.
What causes a candle to smoke, and what can I do to correct it?
A well-made candle will create virtually no smoke when burning properly. However, if the wick becomes too long, or an air current disturbs the flame's teardrop shape, small amounts of unburned carbon particles (soot) will escape from the flame as a visible wisp of smoke. Any candle will soot if the flame is disturbed.
To avoid this, always trim the wick to ¼ inch before every use and be sure to place candles away from drafts, vents or air currents. If a candle continually flickers or smokes, it is not burning properly and should be extinguished. Allow the candle to cool, trim the wick, make sure the area is draft free, then re-light.
Are vegetable-based waxes water soluble?
No. By definition, a wax is not soluble in water.
Facts on Candle Waxes, Parrafin or Soy
All waxes are primarily hydrocarbons, whether the wax is of animal, vegetable, or petroleum origin. The chemical composition of all waxes used for candle-making is similar.
Waxes burn with a yellow flame due to the presence of carbon.
No specific type of wax or wax blend is considered "best" for candlemaking. All candle waxes - when provided in high-quality format - have been shown to burn cleanly and safely.
No candle wax has ever been shown to be toxic or harmful to human health.
There is no such thing as a soot-free wax. All organic compounds when burned will emit some carbon (soot) due to incomplete combustion. Sooting is primarily a factor of wick length and disturbance of the flame's steady teardrop shape.
NCA's Candle Wax Facts
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