This information is provided by Cathy Flanders who has been at the forefront of addressing health and safety issues involving candles. I have no further information regarding property damage.

Candles, Toxic Emissions & Property Damage

Candles can create Toxic Emissions Moms-to-be & Children should avoid.

With the current "candle-craze" & increased candle burning in homes expectant Moms need to be aware of the fact that the emissions from some candles are toxic, reproductive toxins, neuro-toxins &/or carcinogens. This has been a growing cause for concern for the EPA and children's health agencies.  Funding has been recently appropriated from the National Institute of health to test & evaluate levels of emissions from scented candles.  Levels of these toxic VOC & PAH compounds can quickly rise inside a home to a level that poses a danger to you and your unborn baby just from burning a few candles at a time.  Some candles have been confirmed to contain substantial quantities of lead in the wicks which release as very small airborne particles when the candle is burned.  The size of these fine particles is such that they can be inhaled & because of their minute size are absorbed into the bloodstream exposing both of you to a very harmful cumulative toxin.  The prudent thing to do would be to refrain from candle burning during pregnancy; however, if you can't resist the urge to "light-up" burn only unscented 100% beeswax candles - they contain no synthetic ingredients.

Gel Candles contain plasticizers & phthalates which can be extremely toxic especially to children.  How can they sell it?, you ask...because there are absolutely no standards, regulations or laws governing the manufacture of candles.  No agency regulates or oversees the candle industry & they can conceivably put whatever they wish into a candle & not have to label it. 
Recently a lawsuit was filed against a very popular retailer which had lead in their candles leaving a home that had burned a number of these candles contaminated with lead dust after months of using this particular brand.  These particles are especially attracted to synthetic fibers...where do you place your baby on the floor to play?...On the carpet and most carpeting is
manufactured using synthetic fibers.


For further information, questions or answers visit:

Candles and Indoor Air Quality

ARTICLE: Incensed: Damage from candles ignites crusade/ Miami Herald

Homeowners Soot Damage Discussion


Aside from toxic emissions, hundreds of homeowners around the country have been reporting substantial property damage to their home's interiors & contents from candle soot deposits on everything from walls, ceilings and carpets to plastics, toys and computers and other electronics.

What to do if you have property damage in your home from candle burning.

Here are a few of the things that are important to do asap if damage is of substantial monetary value:

1. To the best of your ability try to recall a time frame when the candles that are suspected to have caused the damage were burned (i.e. Oct.98 to Mar. 99), how often were they burned,  how many were burned, how many at a time, where they were located when they were burning.  You may also want to save & date all you air filters if you have a forced air H/VAC system. See if you have receipts for any of your candle purchases. Collect all relevant information into a file so facts will be consistent on # 2 - # 4. Make note of who you speak to, when 7 what they had to say.

2. Contact your Homeowners Insurance Company &/or Agent

3. Contact the candle retailer & manufacturer & get your report of damage resulting from product use "on the record"

4. file an incident report with the CPSC (there's a link to this on the Candle & Indoor Air Quality page.


I will attempt to be of as much assistance as possible & if you can let me know your nearest metropolitan area I will try to refer you to a professional who is familiar with soot deposition from candles who could possibly be of help, especially with regard to filing a claim on your homeowners policy.  We are finding that the homeowners who are well informed & have consulted with
professionals have been fairing much better in dealing with their insurance & claim settlement outcome.


Some recent developments:

• A front page Wall Street Journal Article on 3/31/99 reported on this very issue of candle soot damage to homes.

• an ASTM Sub-Committee was formed in cooperation with the CPSC to examine candle performance with sooting being one of the many issues on the table.

• a presentation made at the largest IAQ  (Indoor Air Quality) Conference last month dealing solely with the issue of soot deposition & health hazards from candle emissions.

• there was a technical meeting this year at the NCA meeting to discuss candle emissions.

• over 25 candle makers, manufacturers, suppliers & retailers have had Proposition 65 notices filed against them for toxic or hazardous ingredients without warning or disclosure (contact me for a listing).

• a class action is awaiting certification against a worldwide retailer of candles which contained lead. There's also a possibility of organizing a class action against Yankee Candle Company for consumers who sustained damage resulting from Yankee brand candles.

• a number of civil cases have been initiated across the country by homeowners in an attempt to recover the expense of damage they incurred due to candle use.