Press Release

Health Hazards from Fragranced Candles?

Concerning the reports in the press about the serious dangers to health presented by fragranced candles we would like to point out that identical criticisms were made soon after the product’s introduction to the German/European markets. This was why the Association of German Candlemakers had tests carried out as far back as 1997 in order to ascertain whether any such hazards really exist. To this end emissions from burning candles, with a variety of fragrance blends, were analysed.

The results proved that emissions from fragranced, paraffin wax candles do not present a significant health danger for humans.

The tests were carried out in improbably extreme conditions i.e. 30 fragranced candles were burned in a relatively small room with no air exchange/replacement. The report points out that only very few (1-3) fragranced candles are usually burned simultaneously due to the fragrance imparted. So this test model used, which can be compared to previous studies carried out, presents a safety equivalent of 10.

An additional test of fragranced candles which was carried out in 1999 did not offer any pointers to significant health hazards either.

Copies of the comprehensive studies can be obtained from us on request from:

Verband Deutscher Kerzenhersteller e.V.

Karlstr. 21, 60329 Frankfurt

Email: braun@vci.de