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The Untold Dangers of Candle Smoke

An increase in claims due to black spot stains on ceilings, walls, furniture, contents, and HVAC filters have been noted by insurance and commercial property management companies. These spot stains were once a mystery, even among smoke restoration companies, however now the mystery is solved! The problem is referred to as “black soot deposition” and it appears that a common household decorative item is frequently to blame.

There is no evidence of a sudden or accidental source for black soot deposition, such as malfunctioning furnaces, gas water heaters, cigarette smoke or cooking by-products. In fact, there was little compelling evidence to assign proper blame for the source of black soot deposition until recently. Recent studies support that the primary culprits are very possibly decorative scented candles.

Current research is suggesting that increased black soot deposition is often the result of candle manufacturers adding additional fragrance oils to their products, along with improper wick trimming by customers. Many fragrance oils do not burn cleanly. It could also be the case that many amateur candle-makers are joining the expanding market to capitalize on the current popularity of candles without proper training or experience. These factors combined, we are left with an abundance of low-quality candles burning in many homes and a corresponding increase in the frequency of indoor soot deposits.

Professional and amateur aromatic candle manufacturer join the market every year. While the number of manufacturers increase, many companies introduce candles to their product line without the necessary knowledge to produce a safe, clean-burning products. This means that numerous harmful chemicals and substances can be found in bargain candles on countless store shelves today. Chemicals like lead, carbon, and volatile organic compounds can be found in the emissions of these candles.

With little to no regulation on what is going into the candles on the market today, and the dangerous effects of thoughtless manufacturing and improper wick trimming, the soot of burning scented candles inside homes, apartments and commercial buildings can present serious health hazards to those living and working there. Smoke restoration experts have a front-row seat to this danger. This soot is not only hazardous to the buildings in that it can cause damage to ventilation systems, furnishings and contents, but is also hazardous to the people living and working around them. Some evidence suggests that even breathing one micron of soot can be hazardous to a persons health. Because particles 2.5 microns or smaller can be inhaled deeply into the lungs, it has been determined that breathing particulate matter this small is detrimental to human health and could cause irritation and respiratory problems. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American Lung Association (ALA) says those most at risk include people with heart or lung disease, children and the elderly.

Additional resources:
Home cleaners that lock in smoke damage
Fire prevention tips
Summer fire prevention
Who cleans up fire damage?
What is fire restoration?
Find a local fire restoration company
How to spot a top fire repair company
The cost of fire restoration services
How to remove fire soot
Cleaning up after a fire
Products to clean up fire damage
Do I need a professional to clean my smoke damage?
Who to call for smoke damage restoration
How to clean smoke soot
Smoke damage cleanup: What you need to know
What cleaning products work for smoke damage in the home?