LET'S TALK ABOUT SCENTED CANDLES AND FEBREZE......

We all love our house to smell nice, we love the warmth of candles and how they smell.

Febreze, it "cleans" our fabrics, makes your couch, pillows, clothes, pet beds all smell amazing. Right?

What are these two great smelling items doing to you, your pets, and your family.

Here, here is what they do to you, your pets, and your family.

🧪 Toxic Chemicals Emitted by Scented Candles

Even if you can’t smell them, burning candles can release:

Chemical	Source	Effect on Body
Benzene	Paraffin wax combustion	Carcinogen (linked to leukemia)
Toluene	Paraffin wax, fragrance	Neurotoxic; can impair concentration, cause headaches
Formaldehyde	Fragrance and dye byproducts	Carcinogen; irritates eyes, lungs
Acetaldehyde	Incomplete combustion	Respiratory irritant, possible carcinogen
Phthalates	Fragrance	Hormone disruption, fertility issues
Soot (ultrafine particles)	Incomplete burning	Lung inflammation, indoor air pollution

🔥 Main Sources of Toxicity in Scented Candles

Source	Common Materials	Health Concerns
Wax	Paraffin wax (petroleum-derived)	Releases benzene and toluene (known carcinogens) when burned
Fragrance	Synthetic “fragrance” or “parfum”	Contains phthalates, VOCs, allergens; linked to hormone disruption, asthma, headaches
Wicks	Lead-core (less common now), metal-core	May release heavy metals into the air; neurotoxic (especially to kids)
Dyes & Additives	Artificial colors, stabilizers	Can release additional volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

🧪 Toxic Chemicals Emitted by Scented Candles

Even if you can’t smell them, burning candles can release:

Chemical	Source	Effect on Body
Benzene	Paraffin wax combustion	Carcinogen (linked to leukemia)
Toluene	Paraffin wax, fragrance	Neurotoxic; can impair concentration, cause headaches
Formaldehyde	Fragrance and dye byproducts	Carcinogen; irritates eyes, lungs
Acetaldehyde	Incomplete combustion	Respiratory irritant, possible carcinogen
Phthalates	Fragrance	Hormone disruption, fertility issues
Soot (ultrafine particles)	Incomplete burning	Lung inflammation, indoor air pollution

 Health Issues Linked to Frequent Use of Scented Candles

• Headaches, migraines

• Asthma attacks, respiratory irritation

• Skin rashes/allergic reactions

• Hormonal imbalance

• Increased indoor air pollution (especially dangerous for kids, pets, people with asthma or autoimmune disease)

Concerning Ingredients in Febreze and Their Risks

Chemical	What It Does	Health Concerns
Fragrance / Parfum	Gives scent	Can include phthalates, allergens, hormone disruptors; linked to migraines, asthma, reproductive harm
1,3-Dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP)	Solvent (byproduct)	Possible carcinogen
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)	Preservative	Endocrine disruption, lung and liver toxicity
Cyclodextrin	Traps odors	May irritate lungs in aerosol form
PEGs (e.g. PEG-60)	Solubilizers	Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane (carcinogen)
Benzisothiazolinone	Antimicrobial	Skin and lung irritant, especially in spray form
Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol	Fragrance components	Can form formaldehyde when exposed to air and sunlight; irritants, potential allergen

🧠 Health Effects Reported or Linked to Febreze Use

• Headaches and dizziness

• Asthma and respiratory irritation

• Allergic skin reactions

• Hormonal disruption (from hidden phthalates)

• Long-term: Possible cancer risk from formaldehyde-forming compounds and 1,4-dioxane contamination

🚫 What’s Most Concerning:

• “Fragrance” loophole: Can legally hide hundreds of unlisted chemicals

• Aerosolized form: Increases lung exposure to chemicals

• Cumulative exposure: Especially dangerous in enclosed spaces (cars, small rooms)

I used to use Febreze all the time and Glade plug-in air fresheners. Me and my husband would wake up every morning blowing our noses feeling gross.

We have stopped using all of this in our home and we wake up able to breath. Craziness.

I still wanted something to spray on the couch; you know the dogs laying on the couch and well you don't want to lay on a smelly dog couch. I THOUGHT I found one, but no. It had a chemical called Methylchloroisothiazolinone. Which causes harmful side effects, Neurotoxicity Concerns (in lab studies)

• Animal studies have shown neurotoxic effects when MCI/MI are directly applied to brain tissue — not conclusive for topical use, but still concerning

• Some studies suggest possible effects on nerve development and brain cell damage, though this is more relevant to occupational or high-dose exposure

So, they had mixed natural ingredients with a harmful chemical. That is where they get you. So, alas I am still on the hunt. I will update you if I find anything.

Stay smart, be safe, and keep learning.

Until next time -