[Warning] An Air Pollutant Hiding in Your Home?!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted November 25, 2020
Dear Reader,
When you think of air pollution, the typical culprits come to mind…
Automobile exhaust, factory fumes, cigarette smoke…
But have you ever considered one that’s hiding in your own home?
In fact, it could be in your house right now.
Here are the facts…
Maybe you are like my wife; whenever we have friends over, or when she wants to relax, she lights a candle.
She’s not alone.
According to the National Candle Association (yes, there is a national association for candles!), retail sales of candles reached approximately $3.14 billion dollars last year.
Sure, candles are nice – they create an aroma and can add ambiance.
But are they safe?
The answer is: it depends.
Both men and women consider candles to be an “always acceptable” and “highly appreciated gift” (according, once again, to the National Candle Association).
Some stores almost exclusively sell candles, but you can find them in just about any store you walk into.
All those candle sales add up to a lot of wax (more than a billion pounds of wax are used every year).
Most of that wax is paraffin wax, a waste byproduct of petroleum refining. When paraffin wax is burned, it releases benzene and toluene (known carcinogens) into your room.
Candles used to contain lead core wicks (lead wicks were banned in 2003, but some people still have these candles in their homes).
Scented candles also have another problem: many of the scents also come from petrochemicals. When these candles burn, the scents throw off chemicals like aldehyde, acetyl aldehyde, and acrolein, and others.
All this leads to the potential for candle burning to be a significant source of indoor air pollution – often exceeding the EPA limits for indoor air quality.
But, once again… it depends.
There are several factors that affect whether you are getting a toxic dose of chemicals: the size of the room (bathroom or large living room), the number of candles, how big of a flame is being produced, how much air is coming into the house, and so on
The difference between ten candles being burned in the bathroom when taking a bath and one candle on your outdoor porch is significant.
There is a solution: go natural.
Natural candles are made from beeswax (you can often find these at health food stores), they contain natural scents which burn cleaner (and, I personally think, smell better).
P.S. Candles aren’t the only household item that could be endangering your health. Learn about other household dangers that could be putting your health at risk, here.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Doctor-Approved Method to Ditch Blood Pressure Meds
In a world where drug solutions dominate healthcare, it’s refreshing to discover that best remedies sometimes don’t involve a single pill. A groundbreaking study shows simple relaxation techniques could be your secret weapon against one of America’s deadliest health conditions. Best of all? It’s free, easy to start right away—and your results are bound to...
Trouble Hearing? Your Heart Could Be at Risk
With research exploding and data pouring in, scientists are uncovering some weird (and surprisingly helpful) health connections. Today’s odd couple? Hearing loss and heart failure. Turns out your ears and your ticker are more connected than you ever imagined. A major study published in the journal Heart looked at over 164,000 people for nearly a...
Stay Up Late? It Could Destroy Your Mental Health
If you dread mornings but come alive at night, there’s concerning new research you need to know about. A recent study found that “night owls” are at higher risk for depression. But before you rush to set your alarm to get up with the sun tomorrow, there’s more to the story… Chronotypes are essentially your...
Go from Flabby to Fit with this Common Vitamin
If you’re like many of us, you woke up one day, looked in the mirror, and realized you’re no spring chicken anymore. Even worse—when you weren’t paying attention—it seems you somehow misplaced the muscles of your youth and have gone from fit to flabby. Aging has a way of humbling us like that. But scientists...
Seasonal Allergy “Off Switch” Discovered in the GUT
“Doc, why am I suddenly suffering from seasonal allergies when I’ve never had them before?” It’s a question I get all the time—and my answer might surprise you. Stop looking up at the trees—and start looking down at your gut… Your sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and runny nose might have more to do with what’s...
“Canary in the Coal Mine” Test Sniffs Out Brain Issues Early
One of the most common questions I get is how to tell if you’re starting to experience cognitive decline. I get it—losing your memory is scary, especially when it sneaks up on you. But here’s some exciting news that might put your mind at ease. A fascinating new study suggests that your nose might be...
BEAT Stubborn Leg Swelling Without Dangerous Diuretics
“I need help with edema.” —Swollen Hi Swollen, When patients complain of edema—fluid retention that causes feet, ankles, and legs to swell—I explain that, while conventional medicine immediately prescribes diuretic drugs, nature offers us effective solutions we can try first. I’ll share those in just a moment, but first, let’s take a quick look at...
Mental Health Linked to 30% FASTER Aging [6-Step FIX]
Your mind and body are more connected than you might realize—and a groundbreaking new study proves just how profound that connection really is. In fact, it’s this mind-body link that helps explain why battling depression can put you on the fast track to physical decline. Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide. We’ve...
The Air You Breathe Is Silently Stealing Your Memory
You already know that air pollution damages your lungs. Chances are you’ve heard it can also harm your heart. And I bet you won’t be surprised when I tell you it claims millions of lives annually. But now, alarming new research suggests polluted air might also damage your brain. This study found that long-term exposure...
Get Intermittent Fasting Benefits Without Going Hungry
Intermittent fasting, which involves cycling between eating and fasting periods, is effective. There’s plenty of evidence for that. It’s not just weight loss, either. Intermittent fasting has significant benefits for metabolic health. However, many people find fasting difficult to stick to—and others can’t do it at all due to medical issues—so they miss out on...