Is your favorite spa burning pure beeswax candles or paraffin?

Mar 09, 2011 By Pat Cattermole

beeswax candles at your spa

The last time I went to a spa I wished I had brought my own natural beeswax Honey Candles® Tealights. It had not occurred to me that a spa that promotes health and wellbeing would surround the tub that I was to be relaxing in with paraffin tealights. What kind of candles does your spa burn? If it's paraffin here’s something you should know.

R. Massoudi Ph.D., and Amid Hamidi Ph.D. presented a study they had completed at the 238th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society. They determined that paraffin candles are an unrecognized source of exposure to indoor air pollution, including the known human carcinogens, levels of which can build up in closed rooms. Lighting them frequently in an unventilated bathroom around a tub for instance may cause problems. The scientists have suggested that those who believe they have an indoor allergy or respiratory irritation may in fact be reacting to air pollutants from burning paraffin candles.

In the study R. Massoudi Ph.D., and Amid Hamidi Ph.D said that candles made from beeswax or soy, although more expensive, apparently are healthier. They do not release potentially harmful amounts of indoor air pollutants while retaining all of the warmth and ambiance of paraffin candles (which are made from petroleum).

I feel beeswax creates far more ambiance and warmth with the amber flame it creates. How about you?

To find out more about this study and the harmful effects of paraffin candles click here For more about the dangers of paraffin click here

Published By Pat Cattermole

I had the good fortune to be hired at Honey Candles in the fall of 2004. Experience managing a small rural printing business and 15 years as an elected public school trustee has been a benefit as Honey Candles moves through the need for flexibility and the demands of rapidly changing natural products marketing. I am the Sales Manager and most likely to be the one answering the phone when you call. Social Media and blogging for Honey Candles has been a recent addition to my list of skills.