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| The Great Wax Debate |
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We at Cormar Company are upfront about all ingredients to our products. Feel free to ask anything, we can answer why we use it, how dangerous it really is, etc. We are upfront in saying we use paraffin wax. We don't hide it, because we don't need to. Below will educate you on paraffin and also, keep in mind, it bears repeating that other candle waxes carry types of known allergens. If you know someone allergic to soy, do NOT use a soy based products (including our lip balms) no matter what medical claim that they can heal you!. One other caution, there is no regulation in the cosmetic or candle industry. None. So no matter what that "other" company says, go directly to the source. The ingredient listed as "deadly". Two things you need to ask yourself: If it IS harmful, in what doses? It's possible to OD on milk or water making yourself ill, or even death, but the right amount is great for you. If it is harmful - is it even allowed by law? You can find poison ivy, all natural in your backyard and you can pronounce it, does that mean we should rub it all over our bodies? We are more in depth with this, with our other "Can You Pronounce It?" page in the works. Lead wicks, discussed below are a great read for further information, as many home entrepreneurs diss others for using lead wicks - they are BANNED in the United States for ALL manufacturers. They are not sold by suppliers, they are not used in production, and they are not sold from US producers. So just because they say how harmful it is (and it is) doesn't mean anyone else actually uses it anyway.
A common misconception with soy candles is the idea that they burn with less soot than paraffin candles. A properly made candle will have very little soot - if at all - with proper upkeep and wick trims, this includes beeswax and paraffin, and many other waxes available. A poorly made soy candle can actually have as much soot as a paraffin candle.
The popularity of the 'all natural' candle can be a misconception, as soy wax also needs to have additives to make it usable as wax. There is no link in the reputable scientific community between paraffin wax and illnesses and/or health hazards. Properly made candles in any type of wax are not hazardous to the common healthy person. Many of the carcinogens listed as 'toxic' from paraffin, your common household appliances emit in larger amounts and they are obviously not listed as hazardous to your health. A popular claim is that these carcinogens can also lead to breathing problems and a large array of other health issues, however the amount any candle emits, even over time is not enough to cause these conditions in average and proper use. The levels emitted are not dangerous, and by some case studies of the amounts of carcinogens needed to cause reactions is 1 million times greater than a candle's emissions. Chances are, you breathe these carcinogens more just by walking outside or operating appliances, than any candle can produce. Many paraffin candles also do not contain the chemicals identified with the carcinogens listed. The top listed carcinogens for all types of candles are also incorrectly labeled known carcinogens. While a few on the list are, many are labeled as - possible and probable. What does this mean to the average person? It means they are not proven yet, and have not undergone the proper testing to label them as 100% for sure, known.
Michael Richards, the original inventor of soy wax, had test runs through labs in Iowa, done in conjunction with the Iowa Soybean Association [1] and found that carcinogens were also present in the soy blend. Purdue's Agricultural Engineering Department studied candles as well, and while it's obvious to spot the initial bias to begin with, they stated paraffin contained "aromatic" compounds. Without any specifics detailed in the now defunct website information, logic would indicate this is the fragrance of the candle, and fragrance oils are also used in soy. The study did not entail researching a soy candle, nor did it research paraffin versus soy. The American Lung Association is also oft cited reporting soy is better than paraffin. However, this information is not verifiable and no information on candle hazards is on their official website.[2] However, on state based American Lung Association sites, they point out information is inconclusive and points to recalled candles as the major offenders, and they also point out basic candle safety and usage. [3] [4]Some on the recalled lists are soy as well. The reports that have been issued as dangerous were due to lead contamination in wicks. (see below)
Additionally, some of the carcinogens named as toxic in paraffin is a result of the wicking or fragrance and are just as easily found in soy candles as well. However, there are extreme exceptions such as an allergy to a certain type of wax that can cause medical issues. The FDA has listed soy as a widely known allergen, while paraffin is not on the list of known allergens and paraffin is even used to test for allergies![5] Dr. Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD mentions in her book The Whole Soy Story the dangers of soy allergies which mentions a section on soy candles. [6] It is possible, especially in those severe allergy cases that soy candles can emit fumes that could be dangerous to those allergic, this is usually reserved for the most pervasive allergy to soy, however. The World Initiative for Soy in Human Health also mentions to stay away from soy oil based products as well. [7] What many soy wax manufacturers are not required to disclose, is that soy wax is frequently made with a paraffin mix already, and the manufacturers can state that it's 100% soy without disclosing the paraffin. Be wary of phrases like 'made with 100% soy wax' or 'made using 100% soy wax', as these are misleading statements. Both of those indicate a deeper level that soy wax was just one of the ingredients used. Be especially wary of these 100% soy candles have colors or fragrances, because then it's not 100%. To note as well, the wax is not 100% soy beans, therefore even used stand alone soy wax is not 100% soy. The original patent by Michael Richards, the creator of soy wax [8] indicates usage of synthetic wax and other chemicals including petroleum based to create the soy wax used in candle making.
Also to note, a few in the science community who have come out against paraffin have not cited any case studies, research, or direct reasoning on how they came to the conclusion of the dangers of paraffin, soy or beeswax. EPA studies found that toxins released in the air from candles were under extreme conditions such as improper burning and untrimmed wicks, where the candle was left to smolder. This study has been cited in reasoning against paraffin, however, due to the combination's ranging in the millions for candles, the specifics of the candles used, such as wicks, fragrances, chemical additives, colorants and wax types, are unknown.[9] Candle safety goes against this type of burning however.
In fact, paraffin is used in many health care aids and materials, and food prep due to it's exceptional properties, along with many beauty regimens. Paraffin wax is probably sitting in everyone's kitchen, everyday.[10] Additionally, many soy candles are made with fragrance oils which are chemically created. Coloring of soy candle wax may also be chemically created. Essential oils are available and a bit more costly, but unless they are pure, they also contain chemicals. Additionally, some people may link articles about all candles and without providing proper documentation, link them to paraffin. In most articles, commonly ones about soot and fumes, candles are mentioned. However, most often it is never told specifically which type of candle, though these articles are passed as "proof" soy is better. Another note to add, is that soy is touted as biodegradable. This is true of soybeans, however to make soy beans into a viable wax, the combination of chemicals makes it as biodegradable as paraffin and beeswax. So in truth, soy wax is biodegradable, however it's untrue that it's counterparts are not.
Many also claim to support American soybean farmers by using soy, and while this part is true, they fail to acknowledge that the machinery such as a combine harvester is often foreign made and are being used to harvest soy beans fueled by foreign oils, along with the movement from start as soybeans to finished in the makers hands using foreign oil, or the electricity they use to produce the candles is provided by foreign means.[11] More money is spent in foreign trades to harvest, create, gather and deliver the soy wax than the actual income from sales of the soy beans.
Another debate is that the wick in a soy candle burns cleaner and more healthy than a paraffin candle. While this can be true, there are hundreds of wick sizes and types, and wicks used are determined by the maker of the candle. There are options such as the zinc core wick, paper core wick and the cotton core wick, that are usable in all candles, in all waxes. Today, no certain type of wick is more dangerous to your health than others. Lead wicks were formerly used in candle making and were linked to medical conditions [12][13], however, as the health risks became exposed, they are no longer used in US manufactured candles. It's often spread that zinc wicks contain lead and they no longer do.
A common conclusion also includes the claim that soy wax has a lower melt point of paraffin. This is also based on the chemicals added to waxes. Some blends of paraffin wax begin to melt at temps of 100 degrees F, the same general melting point as some soy waxes. Some soy waxes have a melt point much higher than this as well. This is also due to the choice of chemicals added to both paraffin and soy. It's especially important to remember, that candle ingredients are not required by law to be listed, or be listed as truthful, so a soy candle you are buying could contain other chemicals, and even paraffin. This lower melt point is also used as proof of a longer lasting candle. However, there have not been side by side studies of base soy wax and base paraffin, in the exact same conditions, tested against each other. Soy wax, with chemical additives to make it last longer, will burn longer than straight paraffin. The claim of 'burns up to X% longer than paraffin' becomes moot, especially when the words 'up to' are added. The wide speculation of adding 'up to' in the phrase of describing soy has lead some to believe that percentages were garnered putting two unequal candles together.
Also, because each candle maker is different and adds different items, some soy candles are no less toxic than paraffin or beeswax. In some cases, with the chemical choices of some makers, they coould be as toxicsas paraffin candles.
Many site links that are supplied as evidence of the dangers of paraffin or the safety of soy are only linking to other candle manufacturer's opinions. (Sources not cited purposely to avoid spam, a simple search can prove this.) However, there are no links supplied directly to any reputable or unbiased sources, such as the American Lung Association (which is oft cited, but no links or specific release notes given), news articles in the media, scientific labs, or college studies. There are so many combinations of any candle that can change even the slightest bit of properties for any of them, resulting in different burning.
The final decision on purchasing or producing is more personal preference, than scientific evidence that refutes many of the claims made. It must also be restated that all candles must be burned properly, at all times to minimize health and hazard risks.
1. Iowa Soy Bean Association
2. The American Lung Association
3. The American Lung Association - Candles
4. Consumer Affairs - Candle Tips
5. FDA Soy Allergen Search
6. World Initiative for Soy in Human Health
7. Soybean wax candle Patent
8. Candles and Incense as Potential Sources of Indoor Air Pollution
9. National Candle Association - FAQ's
10. National Soybean Research Laboratory - Soybean Processing
11. USA Today - Candles might be polluting your home, EPA says
12. CNN - Don't blow off candle safety -- watch the wicks
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