UK homeowners are being warned of the ‘hidden’ risks of lighting candles at home
People who light candles at home have been issued a major 9pm warning, and several other health alerts. Interest in candles typically ramps up from mid-September as the weather turns colder, with six in 10 Brits (64%) regularly using home wellness products like scented candles.
However, each year, more than 1,000 fires are linked to candles, equivalent to three fires a day, with the majority of candle-related fires occurring between October and February. Most candle fires break out between 9pm and midnight, with sleep being a factor in 10% of these fires.
With the risk of candle fires increasing as we head into autumn, experts have shared advice on what homeowners need to be more aware of. Martin Seeley, CEO and senior sleep specialist at MattressNextDay, has revealed the hidden health risks of candles and the dangers of falling asleep with them burning overnight.
Sleep specialists at MattressNextDay sent a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to all fire and rescue services in the UK. The data revealed that UK Fire and Rescue services attended 6,851 sleep-related incidents, including candle fires, since 2020.
Respiratory and allergy risks
Besides being careful when lighting candles at home to reduce the risk of fire, candles pose other hazards. Chemicals from candles can often be allergy and asthma triggers and may cause flare-ups, especially with fragranced candles and paraffin wax.
Dr Hana Patel, NHS GP and GP Medico-Legal Expert Witness, warns: “When scented candles are lit indoors, several harmful gases are released. They range greatly, from those known to have no effect on health to those that may be cancerous.
“The discharge of combustion gases like carbon monoxide or nitrogen oxide would contaminate the interior environment, according to studies done in environmental test chambers. A number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that have been identified as carcinogens, such as naphthalene, anthracene, and pyrene, were also found in candle fumes that are products of wax, aroma substances, or combustion dyes.
“The most common complaints from those who had been exposed to scented candles were vertigo, headaches, mucosa irritation, respiratory issues, watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy nose, chest tightness and a dry or irritated throat.”
One study of scented candle users found that 24.8% reported health issues, including 15.2% suffering from headaches, 8.9% stating shortness of breath, and 7.8% documenting coughing. The researchers found that headaches, sneezing, and wheezing symptoms increased when using candles for more than an hour.
Chemical exposure and indoor air quality degradation
It’s estimated that people spend between 85-90% of their time indoors, with levels of air pollutants estimated to be more than three times higher than outdoors. So indoor air quality is a key concern when burning candles due to the various chemicals released.
Many popular candles used today are made from paraffin wax, which, when burned, can potentially release dangerous chemicals into the air, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde. These chemicals have been linked to lung problems, increased risks of leukaemia and other blood cancers, and even DNA damage with high or prolonged exposure.
However, the levels released by candles are often lower than those of other household items like paints, cleaning products, and fuels. However, they still pose risks in poorly ventilated areas or after heavy use. Studies have not determined a threshold of exposure or found how many candles and what candles put you in a dangerous zone.
Cognitive and cardiovascular effects
Among the most significant risks are cumulative exposure to both VOCs and particulate matter. Long-term exposure to particulate matter is linked to asthma attacks, increased risk of cardiac events, stroke, and even cognitive decline, such as dementia. A recent study suggests that even short-term exposure to air pollution, like from lit candles, impacts the brain’s ability to focus and interpret other people’s emotions.
Impaired sleep quality
Martin Seeley also commented on the potential negative impact that lighting candles can have on sleep. He said, “Although candles are commonly used to wind down before sleep, research suggests that they can potentially harm sleep.
“The combined impacts from the release of chemicals have been linked to disrupted sleep patterns and breathing difficulties while sleeping. Long-term exposure to indoor air pollutants can decrease rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and lead to general poor sleep quality.
“It is well researched that light can heavily influence circadian rhythms, and some studies suggest that even the dim light given off by candles could suppress melatonin production, a hormone crucial for controlling the body’s sleep cycle. This can then make it harder to fall asleep and reduce overall sleep quality.”