Synthetic Fragrances – Why I won’t use them
When I think of Synthetic fragrance oils the first place my mind goes to is scented candles. These range from cheap to really quite expensive. Synthetic fragrances are known to break down to some pretty nasty chemicals. The main culprits being Benzene, Toluene, Formaldehyde and Phthalates. Let’s examine each of these individually.
Formaldehyde: When I worked in science research labs we used to only open this in the fume hood with eye protection, 2 layers of gloves and a lab coat. Formaldehyde is a strong, colourless gas, it is a powerful irritant to human tissues. If you’re exposed to it, it results in almost immediate eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, and skin rashes. Long-term exposure is associated with an increased risk of cancers, specifically nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia, as well as causing chronic respiratory issues. This can happen even at really low levels like 0.1 parts per million! So if you suffer from asthma, COPD or breathing difficulties you could be in trouble. It could also be responsible for your unexplained skin rash, eczema or psoriasis! As well as evening headaches or nausea.
Benzene: Benzene is well known to be carcinogenic and highly toxic, it is one of the main by-products of the internal combustion engine burning petrol. Again, it’s a chemical we would have used strictly in the fume hood with gloves as it causes serious irritation to the skin and eyes this can get as serious as severe blistering. Escalating these effects to the really shocking it significantly damages bone marrow, leading to decreased red blood cells (anaemia) and increased risk of leukaemia. Acute, high-level exposure causes neurological effects (dizziness, headaches, unconsciousness) and respiratory irritation, while long-term exposure impairs the immune system. Granted levels from a scented candles would not be this dangerous in a one-off setting but regular burning, prolonged use or burning many candles at once will have long term consequences and I don’t fancy any of them!
Toluene: Now, this isn’t a very well-known one, but it is still nasty. Toluene is a solvent that mainly acts as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, causing headaches, dizziness, nausea, and euphoria if inhaled in high amounts. High-level or chronic exposure, often from industrial use or substance abuse, can lead to severe neurological damage, cardiac arrhythmia and kidney/liver damage, with symptoms potentially becoming permanent! Exposure during pregnancy can have similar effects on the foetus to alcohol (developmental delays, birth defects or growth retardation!) on the less acute side but still concerning it causes, nausea, dizziness and trouble breathing, undesirable variations in heart rate (too fast, too slow or over-sensitivity to adrenalin!). Lovely, lovely – but they smell good!
Phthalates: As well as all these chemicals (as if they weren’t enough!) phthalates are often used to bind synthetic fragrances and increase what is known as scent throw. However, they are well known to degrade to endocrine disruptors when burned, that means that they mess with how your body makes, secretes and responds to hormones. They can also irritate the respiratory system, just like all the other chemicals above.
Add to all of these nasties the fact that many candles are still made either wholly or in part with paraffin wax, which also breaks down to the above chemicals when burnt. Stands to reason when it is a petroleum derivative. While I’m on petroleum it is also the source i.e. the starting substance in the synthesis of your fragrance oil.
What do I use?
So, is it any wonder that here at Dr Watkins’ Essentials my candles are 100% clean burning soy wax. I want to add a word of caution here about candles claiming to be Soy Wax. They may well be but are often cut with paraffin wax for reasons of profit margin so always read the labels carefully and only choose candles that are stated to be 100% soy wax.
Also, at Dr Watkins’ Essentials I only use essential oils as fragrances for my candles. Granted this sometimes does affect fragrance throw (how far away from the candle you can smell it) but its a compromise I’m willing to take. Judicious choice of essential oil can, however, help with this. I find that peppermint and rosemary have a really great throw as do citronella and lavender.
So, when I say we are as close to nature as possible here at Dr Watkins’ Essentials I mean it. I will not compromise my health, my family’s health or that of my customers for a massive profit margin. Yes, my candles are a little expensive compared to some available on the market but personally I will happily choose that as opposed to the side effects of the chemicals discussed here. Is it any wonder that auto-immune, inflammatory conditions, asthma and allergies and skin conditions are all on the rise with these chemicals floating around our enclosed interior spaces? And watch this space we have Room Diffusers arriving soon aswell.
Take Care Out There and remember if you can breathe it in or spread it on your skin it’s in your bloodstream!
0 comments