Mar

4

Smells Like Phthalates

Filed Under Eco-Mama, Phthalates Info 

candleI feel like a broken record with this phthalates business and on top of it, running a site like this I hit moments of panic where I feel as though everything around me is potentially harmful. I have to reel myself in once in a while or I start to give myself anxiety and need to drink red wine until it passes.

But then I get a grip and see that there are small changes I can make that are easy and make sense for my family. I ran across an article somewhere ( I forget where) and decided to look into it further. The premise of it was over phthalates in scented candles. I’ve been meaning to post something about phthalates and chemicals in household air fresheners and I’ve long sworn off the use of spray air fresheners for a long time. But phthalates, which helps synthetic fragrances bond to the product, are found in candles, incense and potpourri. Healthy Child Healthy World (one of my favorite websites) sums this up nicely:

Candles are also a source of indoor air pollution, according to the EPA, leaving black soot deposit (BSD) on floors and surfaces. Scented candles create the most soot.

BSD is primarily made up of elemental carbon, but may also contain phthalates and volatile organic compounds like benzene and toluene, which can cause cancer and neurological damage. BSD can be inhaled while airborne, but may also settle on surfaces like floors. BSD is especially attracted to electrically charged surfaces such as freezers, plastic blinds, TVs and computers.

Children may ingest BSD, after touching the floor or other surfaces and then putting their hands in their mouths. BSD, when inhaled, can lodge deep in the lungs, the lower respiratory tract or alveoli (very tiny tissue inside the lungs).

I know what you’re thinking. “GREAT… one more thing…” But there are easy solutions to this without selling your home and moving into a mud hut and sewing your clothes out of hemp.

  • Clean the air in your home with plants. Bamboo (I’ve read that Lucky Bamboo has great air cleaning qualities), Weeping Figs and Spider plants are some that clean the most pollutants (like formaldehyde and benzene) out of the air.
  • Baking Soda! That stuff does wonders for odor. Use it on carpets, or place a small dish of it near offensive areas.
  • Embrace the soy candle.  If you need candle burning (I love candles), opt for soy based candles or beeswax candles which burn cleaner (and last longer). I found these
  • More tips: Here are a few other great tips from Healthy Child Healthy World: Freshen Indoor Air Checklist

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Posted by: Kathy on March 4, 2008
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Comments

5 Responses to “Smells Like Phthalates”

  1. becky on March 4th, 2008 3:54 am

    Kathy, have you seen anything that mentions whether heating the candle (using one of those candle warmers that looks like a cup warmer) instead of burning it is better? If you don’t light the wick, there’s no carbon emission.

  2. Melissa Moog on March 4th, 2008 5:40 am

    Between the phthalates and BPA stuff going around I feel the same way you do! I’m starting to get paranoid about everything my toddler and I touch or eat. But thank goodness we have people like you willing to share valuable information and research to help us live healthier!

  3. Kathy on March 4th, 2008 2:51 pm

    @Becky – There may be less carbon emission from that method. I know what you’re talking about. Although I am unsure whether it prevents phthalates from the fragrance getting in the air. I’ll have to do some deeper research on that.

    @Melissa – Thanks!

  4. Ange on March 6th, 2008 5:03 pm

    I’m glad to know that it isn’t just me that finds this overwhelming… but my question is if you know of any all natural sites that ship to Canada (without having to go thru an expensive 3rd party). I’m hoping that you can provide a suggestion (if not a solution) as I am becoming more and more frustrated the more that I learn.

    Thanks!
    Ange

  5. Kathy on March 6th, 2008 5:46 pm

    Specifically? Not off the top of my head but I did a search in Google for “soy candles canada” and found a few companies. Here is one of a few I found: Natura Soy Candles

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