Fragrant illusions: the hidden risks of scented candles in your home

RIGHT now, my house smells like sandalwood. I love it, the warmth, the calm, the way it makes my space feel instantly inviting.

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

SAFER alternatives to scented candles for a healthier home.

(Ron)

For many of us, lighting a scented candle is a ritual: a little spark of self-care after a long day, a festive mood-setter for holidays, or simply a way to cover up last night's cooking smells.

But there's a downside. The same things that make our homes smell so good might also be affecting our health in ways we don't notice.

Scented candles do more than just add fragrance. They also release chemicals into the air, and new research suggests that what smells pleasant might not be as harmless as we think.

Candles used to be simple, made from beeswax or animal fat. Now, most store-bought scented candles are made from paraffin wax, which comes from petroleum and is treated with chemicals.

When you burn paraffin candles, they give off chemicals called volatile organic compounds, like benzene, acetone, and toluene. These have been linked to headaches, allergies and breathing problems.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies some of these VOCs as carcinogens, meaning longterm exposure could increase cancer risk.