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Two researchers have warned that products designed to “mask unpleasant [indoor] odors” sometimes boast negative health effects.

“Products like scented candles, air fresheners, and incense sticks may mask unpleasant odors and improve the smell of indoor spaces – but they do not remove harmful indoor pollutants,” the researchers wrote in a report published this week in The Conversation.

“In fact, our research shows that some home fragrance products may be detrimental to indoor air quality,” they added.

The researchers, Asit Kumar Mishra of University College Cork and Marie Coggins of the University of Galway note that this is especially true of candles, which are used in 70 percent of U.S. households, according to the National Candle Association.

“While using scented candles, for example, peak fine particle concentrations could increase to 15 times the limits prescribed by the World Health Organization,” the two note. “These levels took a while to return to normal levels in underventilated rooms.”

Burning candles or incense sticks “produces a complex mix of chemicals and particulate matter, including toxic gases like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and oxides of nitrogen.”

The perfect recipe for cancer.

“Particulate matter can cause short-term health effects like coughing and sneezing, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs,” the researchers note. “Long-term exposure can increase the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic bronchitis. Particulate matter can also worsen some existing conditions, such as asthma.”

Those at the highest risk are candle burners who live in small homes and rooms with mediocre ventilation, and candle burners who prefer scented candles over unscented ones.

“Scented candles are likely to produce more fine particulate matter than unscented candles,” the researchers note. “Manufacturers are not required to disclose all the substances used in scented candles, due to associated patents, both in the US and the EU. Research estimates that in the US less than 10% of home fragrance ingredients are disclosed to the public.”

A previous Environmental Protection Agency study conducted in 2014 produced similar results. The study involved burning a dozen scented candles to determine what chemicals they released. The researchers found that they emit 34 compounds, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

A separate report from the Cleveland Clinic published in 2022 admitted that burning candles contributes to “indoor pollution” but stressed that candle burning in well-ventilated spaces is still relatively safe.

“When you burn a candle, you release hydrocarbons — chemical compounds consisting of hydrogen and carbon — into the air,” the report reads. “In particular, burning candles releases trace quantities of toluene and benzene.”

Toluene is reportedly used in paint thinners and adhesives. Toluene exposure without proper ventilation “can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and skin,” and it “can also cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, and anxiety.”

“Benzene is a gas emitted by forest fires, volcanoes, and burning coal or oil,” the report continues. “We use benzene primarily in industrial and pharmaceutical settings, but the vast majority (90%) of all benzene exposure occurs as a consequence of smoking. Benzene is carcinogenic, having been found to increase the risk of leukemia and other blood cancers.”

Speaking with the clinic, pulmonologist Sobia Farooq noted that it’s all about buying high-quality candles, maintaining good ventilation, and NOT being a former bladder cancer patient or current lung disorder patient.

“According to Dr. Farooq, a small number of studies suggest an association between candle burning and bladder cancer,” the clinic reported. “‘All these volatile organic hydrocarbons accumulate in the blood,’ she explains. ‘They eventually get excreted through the bladder, hence the link with bladder cancer.’”

“As a result, Dr. Farooq says people under surveillance for, living with, or in remission from bladder cancer might want to go easy on the candles. Likewise, she encourages people with chronic lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to be mindful of the levels of air pollution in their homes,” the reporting continues.

Overall though, Farooq says there isn’t enough evidence to justify most people not burning candles.

“In fact, we engage in far higher-risk activities every day,” the clinic notes. “According to Dr. Farooq, indoor cooking increases the particulate matter in the air and has been linked to respiratory illnesses. A scented candle simply isn’t dangerous by comparison.”

Vivek Saxena
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