There is an opinion that aromatic candles have such a pernicious effect on the light and cardiovascular system that even tobacco is superior in negative effects on the body. We decided to check if this is so.
On the danger of aromatic candles and sticks Federal And Regional Media and Blogs report with enviable regularity for at least 14 years, and comparison with smoking is an almost mandatory attribute Such publications. Back in 2011, citing a British tabloid Daily Mail About the dangers of aromatic survey reported RIA Novosti agency. "RBC Life" WritesWhat the main danger is polluting particles in size less than 2.5 microns (they are called - PM2.5), the concentration of which in the room during burning aromatic candles can be 15 times higher than WHO norms. Magazine MEN TODAY reportsThat sticks and candles are released four times more toxins than cigarettes. Endocrinologist Zuhra Pavlova Notes The harm from the substances formed during the combustion of substances: carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, benzene, phthalates, formaldehyde and ozone oxide (although oxide is a combination of a chemical substance with oxygen, and ozone is a modified form of oxygen). Solidarity with the doctor and Rospotrebnadzor.
According to WHO, smoking is one of the main factors The risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, more than 20 types or subspecies of cancer and many other diseases. Annually from the consequences of active use of tobacco in the world Dies More than 7 million people, another 1.3 million deaths are a consequence of passive smoking. In the process of combustion of cigarettes, by data The American association of lungs, more than 7,000 chemicals are released, including at least 69 carcinogens and 250 highly toxic compounds.
The exact composition of aromatic candles manufacturers in the USA and the EU countries to disclose Not obliged. Research ShowWhat is the composition on the packaging Reflected Less than 10% of the ingredients, although among them there are definitely wax (bees, soy, rapeseed, coconut, etc.) and giving the aroma of substance (natural essential oils or artificial flavors). Some of them have been well studied - for example, three components of the papaya essential oil (allil, gasoline and phenylethil), as scientists found out, can Calling bladder cancer in rats - but many others are known. When burning a candle, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and aromatic hydrocarbons, such as toluene and benzopyrene, which in high concentration also have a carcinogenic effect, are released.
So, in 2009, specialists from the University of South Carolina in a report for the American Chemical Society notedthat paraffin candles can pollute the air in non -premises, including carcinogenic substances. At the same time, candles made of bee wax or soybean are likely not to be such a danger. At the same time, scientists noted that this is not about episodic, but about regular use: “ignition of many paraffin suppositories daily for many years” or “constant ignition of them in such an impenetrable room as a bathroom”.
In 2017, these same researchers Studied Paraffin candles combustion products in a sealed cube (a kind of analogue of the non -premises). During this process, a number of chemical reactions occurred, including the release of benzene, toluene and various acyclic non -inferior hydrocarbons. These substances provoke oncological diseases and worsen the work of the heart and lungs. To minimize harmful exposure to experts Consult Ventify rooms in which paraffin candles often burn.
In 2014, the Belgian-American team of researchers Analyzed The concentration of volatile organic compounds (moos) and solid particles formed in the air as a result of burning aromatic candles. They recorded an increase in the levels of benzene and formaldehyde, however, the final concentration did not exceed the permissible limits of safety. Experts noted that in everyday life the use of aromatic candles does not represent a significant risk to the health of the consumer.
In 2015, South Korean scientists Tested Six candles with different aromas. In an experimental hermetic chamber, they increased the concentration of the elk even before the ignition, and after this indicator exceeded the permissible safe values.
In 2021, a group of researchers from Germany and the USA Compared emissions from candles made of various waxes (palm, paraffin, soybean, stear), with and without aromas. Nonromatized suppositories were produced when burning much less emissions compared to aromatic, and the burning of candles with flower, fresh and fruit aromas led to a more significant increase in the concentration of elk than with spicy ones. Experts explained this difference with different stability of flavorings. At the same time, regardless of the aroma of the candle, the levels of the content of toxic gases and formaldehyde remained within safe limits for air in the room.
In 2015, scientists from the South China Technological University Compared The harmful effect on the human body of cigarettes and traditional oriental incense in the form of sticks or cones. Cytotoxicity (the ability of matter destructively affects the cells of the body that has been influenced) and genotoxicity (the ability to cause negative phenomena in the descendants of this organism) in incense turned out to be higher than that of the same dose of cigarette smoke. Although the experiment was carried out on hamsters, scientists consider it possible to extrapolate this data to humans. At the same time, experts pay attention to the fact that only a few types of incense (from agar wood and from sandalwood) have tested, and recognize the need for further research to, in particular, to find out how many harmful substances are consumed on average by the smoker, and how much a fan of aromatherapy.
Belgian consumer organization Test Aankoop NotesWhat conducted a study by several popular incense for the home. It turned out that when burning, they all released carcinogenic benzene and formaldehyde, as well as acrolein and carbon monoxide. The organization does not disclose details of the experiments, but in the material for the Belgian journal of medical oncology Indicatesthat the burning of such sticks in a closed room is as harmful to health as smoking cigarettes.
In 2008, a team of researchers from Taiwan Came To the conclusion that as a result of the burning of the same weighing cigarettes and traditional eastern incense (scientists compared powder incense, compressed in the form of cones or spirals and aroma falsehoods), the latter produce about four and a half times more solid PM2.5 particles. Observations Showthat often people who often inhale them are more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases and asthma. Basically, PM2.5 air pollution occurs due to exhaust gases, forest fires, burning wood and coal, industrial production of fried food and smoking cigarettes. The permissible health level of such particles is 12 μg/m, and according to the results of air samples in one of the Taiwan’s temples, where the use of incense is part of the religious ritual, it rose to 73 μg/m.
On the other hand, experts compared only emissions into the environment, and not the number of solid particles entering the lungs. Cigarette smoke, unlike the smoke of aromatic incense, smokers deliberately delayed. At the same time, a stay in a room with a burning aroma package is similar in the mechanism of passive smoking.
Thus, the candles during burning actually distinguish some of the substances that are dangerous to health, but scientists diverge in assessing their influence on a person. It is most likely that the short -term exposure is not too dangerous, but you should not abuse the aromas. Infrontation in burning really distinguishes toxic substances, the inhalation of which is comparable to passive smoking, but it is difficult to reliably carry out a numerical comparison.
Image on the cover: Image by Eva Michálková from Pixabay
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