As the Silly Season approaches, the sales of scented candles increase exponentially.
But while they may be an easy, go-to option for Christmas gifting, new evidence suggests that you might want to think twice about wrapping one up for your office Secret Santa…
Research has found that a particular scent commonly found in perfumed candles and air fresheners can react to elements in the air, which, in turn, can produce a cancer-causing compound.
Limonene, a substance used to give aromatic products a citrus aroma, is considered safe on its own, but when exposed to airborne elements, it can produce the carcinogen formaldehyde.
Up until recently, the danger of in-home fragrances have been somewhat of a mystery.
While short-term exposure to high levels of formaldehyde may cause nose, eyes and skin irritations as well as nausea and coughing fits, researchers believe that long-term exposure could result in nose and throat cancers.
Atmospheric chemistry professor, Alastair Lewis of the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, teamed up with the BBC’s Trust Me, I’m a Doctor series to examine the air in six modern homes in York, England over a five day period.
From samples taken, they discovered that for every two molecules of limonene released into the atmosphere from fresheners or candle, one molecule of the carcinogenic formaldehyde was formed.
As the researchers were so alarmed by the dangerous results of their findings, they conducted a second experiment in the hopes in discovering a way to reduce the formaldehyde levels found in the environment.
The team began depositing houseplants in the limonene-riddled areas of the homes. After further testing, they were able to conclude that lavender, guava and a series of ferns, such as spider, Japanese royal and squirrel’s foot, were most effective in absorbing the airborne chemicals.
If, like us, the thought of lighting a scented candle has now got you a little spooked, you might want to look into some alternative options.
Limonene-free and non-scented products are available, but cutting back on the use of household fragrances and opening windows while cleaning will help eliminate and diffuse any airborne dangers.
Flowers, like lavender, will help absorb airborne dangers, while their summer smell might just eliminate the need for artificial fragrances all together.
