Scented candles pollute the air as much as a diesel engine

Tengrinews.kz – Scented candles can pollute indoor air no less than exhaust fumes outside. Scientists have found that their use leads to the formation of harmful particles that can negatively affect health.
What scientists have learned
Researchers have studied how heating scented wax affects indoor air quality. It turns out that the burning process releases tiny nanoparticles — so small that they can penetrate deep into the lungs and potentially harm health.
The experiment was conducted in a special zEDGE laboratory house, which was equipped with sensors that record changes in the air. Scientists have found that the aromatic substances in the wax react with ozone in the air, forming new particles. The same thing happens when using citrus fresheners, essential oils, cleaning products, and even when peeling citrus fruits.
Scented candles and lamps seem like a harmless way to create a cozy atmosphere. But a new study from Purdue University has shown that their use leads to the formation of tiny particles that can penetrate not only the respiratory tract, but even the bloodstream.

What happens when you heat scented candles
A study has shown that when scented wax is heated, a huge number of tiny particles are formed in the air - especially those smaller than 100 nanometers. Their concentration exceeds a million particles per cubic centimeter, which can be compared with emissions from gas stoves and even car engines. For comparison, when using unscented wax, such particles do not form.
Experts measured how many of these particles enter the human respiratory tract. And it turned out that in a room where an aroma candle is burning, our body inhales on average about 483 million particles per second. Most of them settle in the upper respiratory tract, but the smallest ones can penetrate the bloodstream and even reach the brain.
Earlier, Yvonne Burkart, a toxicologist and creator of a popular YouTube channel, shared her opinion on the potential risks associated with using such candles. According to her, most candles - conventional candles, paraffin wax, scented candles that we see in stores - should not be lit.