Lychee, fig tree, roses… Scented candles are still just as trendy. They create comforting olfactory atmospheres and some do not hesitate to light them several times a day.
But beware, delicate odors do not mean that the air is more breathable. Indeed, scented candles can generate toxic substances.
In a study dating from 2017, Ademe (Environment and Energy Management Agency) warned against prolonged use. “The burning of candles and incense leads to emissions of toxic volatile compounds, such as formaldehyde, benzene, acetaldehyde, acrolein,” she explains. So many substances known to be bad for the body and whose prolonged exposure can increase the risk of cancer.
She also points to the size of the particles that spread through the air: “candles emit finer particles than incense, particles which therefore penetrate more deeply into the cardiovascular and respiratory system. They also emit more nitrogen oxides (NOx)”.
For this reason, it is recommended to limit the frequency of their use and especially “to avoid burning several products simultaneously”. After use, it is also necessary to ensure that the room is ventilated for ten minutes.
The Ademe especially warns against the perception that people have of these candles. Indeed, “users mostly think that these products have a positive impact or no impact on their environment”.