The National Candle Association (NCA)

The NCA is the major trade association representing U.S. candle manufacturers and their suppliers.

Founded in 1974, NCA acts as the collective voice for the candle industry in promoting the safe use and enjoyment of candles, pursuing product excellence through quality formulation, monitoring and responding to issues impacting the industry, and advancing the industry as a whole.

The NCA is widely recognized as the leading technical authority on candles and candle manufacturing. Its member companies account for more than 90 percent of all candles made in the United States.

The following were taken directly from the NCAs frequently asked questions webpage:   www.candles.org/about_faq.html

Are certain candle waxes better than others?

No. All types of candle waxes perform well, and will burn cleanly and safely when they are of high quality. U.S. candle manufacturers select waxes or blends of waxes based on their suitability for specific types of candles or formulation profiles, as well as their own candle-making preferences.

Is paraffin wax toxic?

No. Paraffin wax is non-toxic. In fact, paraffin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in food, cosmetics, and medical applications. Food-grade paraffin is commonly used for manufacturing candles.

What causes a candle to smoke, and what can I do to correct it?

A well-made candle will create virtually no smoke when burning properly. However, if the wick becomes too long, or an air current disturbs the flame's teardrop shape, small amounts of unburned carbon particles (soot) will escape from the flame as a visible wisp of smoke. Any candle will soot if the flame is disturbed.

To avoid this, always trim the wick to 1/4 inch before every use and be sure to place candles away from drafts, vents or air currents. If a candle continually flickers or smokes, it is not burning properly and should be extinguished. Allow the candle to cool, trim the wick, make sure the area is draft free, then re-light.

Is candle soot harmful?

No. The minuscule amount of soot produced by a candle is the natural byproduct of incomplete combustion. Candle soot is composed primarily of elemental carbon particles, and is similar to the soot given off by kitchen toasters and cooking oils. These everyday household sources of soot are not considered a health concern, and are chemically different from the soot formed by the burning of diesel fuel, coal, gasoline, etc.

Are candles made with "natural" ingredients or essential oils safer?

A natural ingredient, as opposed to a manufactured or synthesized ingredient, is not necessarily any safer. In fact, scores of natural ingredients are known to be extremely toxic to humans in very small amounts. NCA members are committed to manufacturing candles that use ingredients known to be safe and approved for use in candles, whether "natural" or synthesized.

Is my candle biodegradable?

Probably. Studies have shown that beeswax, paraffin and vegetable-based waxes are biodegradable. The vast majority of candles today are made primarily from these waxes.

Are vegetable-based waxes water soluble?

No. By definition, a wax is not soluble in water.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Article: CANDLE BURNING AS A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION 2001

Summary: The EPA concludes that a well-designed and well-maintained candle emits negligible fine particulat matter (PM). There is no mention of the type of wax used, only the type of wicks used. Lead wicks cause poor indoor air quality and were found in small numbers on the U.S. market. Incomplete combustion can cause higher than permitted PM concentrations. Candle composition and design (how well the candle is made and how well the candle burns), how often the wick is trimmed, keeping candles out of drafty air, and blowing out the candle instead of extringuishing all contribute to indoor air pollution.

Conclusion: Purchase quality candles, purchase candles made with safe wicks, trim candles wicks, keep burning candles away from drafts, extringuish the candle by means other than “blowing” it out.

There is no mention of soy wax anywhere on the EPA‘s website. If Soy wax is “enviromentally” better than paraffin, don‘t you think they would mention that? Here is the website: epa.gov and at the top is a search bar. Do a search on soy wax, there are no results.

From the NCA Web site www.candles.org/elements_wax.html

Candle Wax Facts

Neither the NCA nor the EPA site any of the false advertising claims given by the soy candle makers. There is not one governing body that says paraffin is toxic, or that paraffin candles are bad for people, or that soy is healthier than paraffin. Not one single governing body has provided this information. These claims are falsely made by the soy wax candle makers in a effort to scare the public into buying their candles.

Anything with a flame has the potential to soot, it is not the wax that makes a candle soot it is the improper wicking of the candle and the improper making of a candle and the improper burning of a candle.

Soy wax candles are not 100% natural. Chemicals are added to the byproduct of soy to make a waxy substance and even more chemicals are added for the soy wax to be able to hold fragrance oil. Fragrance oil is not a natural substance, so if the soy candle has fragrance in it, it is even further from being 100% natural. Even soy candles made with essential oils are not “all natural” because the wax is chemically produced from a soy bean. The soy bean does not come out of the ground ready to melt down for a candle.

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