Shedding Light on Questions about Soot and Candles

Recently, questions have been raised about candles and sooting problems. The following discusses normal sources of soot within a home and provides some simple steps for consumers to minimize soot from candles.

Understanding Soot: What is it and where does it come from? Everyday use and research indicates that properly burning candles, whether scented or unscented, are safe and are not a significant source of soot.

Soot can be caused by a variety of common sources found within residential homes, including a fireplace, gas stove, furnace, cigarettes, or even the very act of cooking. According to Eric Wigg, a noted toxicologist and wax expert, these sources will produce more soot that a properly burning candle.

Comprised primarily of small carbon particles, soot is a natural by-product of incomplete combustion. This phenomenon occurs when the soot particles escape the flame and settle on flat surfaces, such as floors, walls or even the border around fireplaces. But soot is not the only thing that can settle on these surfaces.

In any given house, there are literally millions of airborne particles that can adhere to walls, floors, furniture or electronic products, such as TV sets. These particles, such as dust, dirt or pollen, are naturally found inside homes. Other substances from sources such as barbecues, cars or burning leaves can enter through openings in the home, such as windows, doorways or garages.

Ensuring Proper Burning of Candles
It is important to understand that soot has always existed and always will. But there are some simple ways to minimize soot and ensure that candles are used safely and burn evenly and properly:

• Keep wicks trimmed to 1/8 or 1/4 of an inch. Remove wick trimmings and do not allow match pieces to fall into the candle. This will ensure that the flame does not get too large and result in excess smoke or soot.
• Keep candles away from vents and strong drafts. Drafts can cause insufficient burning or smoke. Consumers generally can tell if a candle is in a draft by watching the flame. If a candle flame is wildly flickering, extinguish it and move the candle to an area with less of a draft.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Remain close to monitor any changes in the size or flickering of the flame, which can lead to excess smoke.
• Keep candles out of the reach of children and away from pets and anything flammable.
• Ensure proper ventilation of fresh air inside the home. While many new homes are built to prevent the loss of heated or air conditioned air, too little ventilation can cause indoor air to become stale.

Are candle wicks made of lead?

The majority of wicks manufactured today in the United States are made of 100 percent cotton - with no metal core. Those few wicks with metal are typically zinc-core wicks. All of these wicks are safe.

Even though the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) determined in 1974 that lead-core wicks do not present a health hazard, the National Candle Association's members voluntarily agreed to stop using lead wicks. Companies belonging to the National Candle Association make about 95 percent of the candles manufactured in the United States today.

It is possible that a small percentage of imported candles on the market today contain lead-core wicks. However, the National Candle Association and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have taken action to remove candles with lead-core wicks from store shelves. This will help ensure that all candles on the market today use safe wicks.

What is the National Candle Association doing to ensure candle wicks are safe?

The National Candle Association supports a ban on lead-core wicks for domestic and imported candles. The candle association's members - which manufacture almost all of the candles made in the United States today - have already voluntarily agreed not to use lead-core wicks.

The National Candle Association is committed to using only safe wicks and supports the removal of any lead-core wick candles from the market.

If a consumer is still worried, how can he or she tell whether a candle has a lead-core wick? A consumer can determine if a candle has a lead-core wick by using this simple test: Rub a piece of paper on the tip of an unused metal wick. A lead-core wick will leave a gray pencil-like mark, while zinc will not.

It is important for consumers to know that wicks made with cotton, paper, zinc, or non-metallic materials are safe.

What tips should consumers follow to enjoy candles safely?

When used properly, candles are safe. The following are simple steps to ensure candles are used correctly:

Keep wicks trimmed to 1/8 or 1/4 of an inch. Remove wick trimmings and do not allow match pieces to fall into the candle.
Keep candles away from vents and strong drafts.
Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Keep candles out of the reach of children and away from pets and anything flammable.

Safety of Zinc Wicks

Questions have been raised recently about metal wicks based on studies showing some imported candles may contain lead-core wicks. This fact sheet outlines the National Candle Association's (NCA) continued voluntary ban on lead-core wicks and highlights the proven safety record of zinc wicks.

NCA voluntary ban on lead wicks

Consumer safety is one of NCA's top priorities. Even though the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) determined in 1974 that lead-core wicks do not present a health hazard, National Candle Association members voluntarily agreed to stop using lead-core wicks.

The majority of wicks made today in the U.S. are 100 percent cotton - with no metal core. Those few wicks with metal cores typically contain zinc.

The safe use of zinc wicks

Up to 20 percent of U.S.-made votive, pillar, tealight or glass jar candles may use zinc wicks. Consumers can identify candles with metal wicks by peeling back an unburned cotton wick and looking for a gray metal material.

Zinc wicks, which have been used safely for 20 years, add extra rigidity to the wick. This attribute helps the wick remain centered and upright to ensure clean and proper burning.

Extensive research supports the safety of zinc wicks.

Testing for a safe metal wick

A metal tab on the bottom of a candle is not an indication of a metal wick. This is a steel or tin piece that acts as an anchor for the bottom of a wick. The tab helps ensure that the wick remains upright and burns in the center of the candle.

To determine if a candle has a lead-core wick, follow this easy test: Rub a piece of paper on the tip of an unused metal wick. A lead-core wick will leave a gray, pencil-like mark, while zinc will not.

If a candle has been used already, consumers can contact the candle manufacturer or visit the company's website to learn more about the candle wick.