Scented candles may be bad for your health

Scented candles are wonderful. They can make your home smell like a spring breeze. Did you know spring breeze had a smell?

However, your love for that constant scent of 'fresh linens' may be doing more harm to your health than it's worth.

While able to set a romantic scene, studies show that burning artificially scented paraffin candles release a cocktail of dangerous chemicals into the air.

The fine soot particles from the candles contain known cancer-causing carcinogens, like acetone and benzene.

Unfortunately, the damage can be done even if you keep your candles for decoration without ever actually lighting them. Simple evaporation can release pollutants like formaldehyde into the air around you.

Expectant mothers should be especially aware of the types of candles they use. A study which looked at more than 2,000 pregnant women proved women who used air fresheners regularly had children who were more prone to lung infections and wheezing.

This doesn't mean you have to ditch candles altogether.

Consider soy or natural beeswax candles as an alternative to the scented paraffin variety.

If you still need that fresh spring breeze scent, maybe you should just open a window!

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