To make this waxy
sludge more
'palatable' it is
then bleached (which
creates dioxins),
processed and then
texturised using
carcinogenic
chemicals. Candle
makers then take
this bleached, toxic
wax, and color it
with synthetic
colourants and
artificial scents
selling these
candles to the
unsuspecting public
to burn in their
living rooms.
Early on, we at
Sugar Tree Candle
Company chose not to
use any
petro-chemical
by-products to make
our candles...
The toxic smoke from
the paraffin candles
covers your walls,
furniture, carpet
and curtains, not to
mention the inside
of your lungs and
your skin. The soot
given off from the
burning of paraffin
candles is the same
as that given off by
burning diesel fuel.
Some of the air
contaminants in
paraffin fumes
include toluene,
benzene, methyl
ethyl ketone (MEK),
and naphthalene -
substances found in
paint, lacquer and
varnish removers.
The Environmental
Protection Agency
(EPA) has determined
that benzene and
toluene are probable
human carcinogens.
In addition, many
paraffin candles are
made with a lead
core or zinc core
wick, further
polluting your
environment with
toxic smoke. Many of
these candles are
made overseas and
sold to major
companies to
distribute. We will
not sell out to the
large over seas
markets that
continue to sell
harmful products to
the American people.
A
University of
Michigan study has
found that wicks
that have either
lead or lead cores
(used particularly
in scented paraffin
candles) emit
potentially
dangerous levels of
lead into the air -
including allergens
and even carcinogens
including benzene,
acetone, mercury and
toluene. The effects
of these emissions
can be damaging to
the cardiovascular,
neurological and
immune systems. The
scientist concluded
"burning leaded
candles can result
in extensive
contamination of the
air and house dust
with lead ... House
dust is widely
recognized as a
primary route of
childhood lead
exposure through
hand-to-mouth
activities" (go to
