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Lighting those scented candles for Christmas? Read this first

STORYAssociated Press
Throughout the year, many people use candles to add atmosphere and pleasant aromas to the home. Photo: Shutterstock
Throughout the year, many people use candles to add atmosphere and pleasant aromas to the home. Photo: Shutterstock
Wellness

Candles, fireplaces, and incense and oil burners can add ambience and soothing scents – but they’re best enjoyed in moderation, experts say

The warm spices in gingerbread, the woodsy aroma of pine and fir trees, and the fruity tang of mulled wine are smells synonymous with the holiday season. Many people enjoy lighting candles, incense and fireplaces in their homes to evoke the moods associated with these festive fragrances.

Burning scented products may create a cosy ambience – and in the case of fireplaces, provide light and heat – but some experts want people to consider how doing so contributes to the quality of the air indoors. All flames release chemicals that may cause allergy-like symptoms or contribute to long-term respiratory problems if they are inhaled in sufficient quantities.

Fireplaces may be cosy, but people should consider the impact on air quality. Photo: Shutterstock
Fireplaces may be cosy, but people should consider the impact on air quality. Photo: Shutterstock
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However, people don’t have to stop sitting by the hearth or get rid of products like perfumed candles and essential oil diffusers, said Dr Meredith McCormack, director of the pulmonary and critical care medicine division at Johns Hopkins University’s medical school. Instead, she recommends taking precautions to control the pollutants in their homes.

“Clean air is fragrance free,” said McCormack, who has studied air quality and lung health for more than 20 years. “If having seasonal scents is part of your tradition or evokes feelings of nostalgia, maybe think about it in moderation.”

What to know about indoor air quality

Reading by the fireplace may be cosy, but it could have adverse health effects. Photo: Shutterstock
Reading by the fireplace may be cosy, but it could have adverse health effects. Photo: Shutterstock

People in the northern hemisphere tend to spend more time indoors during the end-of-year holidays, when temperatures are colder. Indoor air can be significantly more polluted than outdoor air because pollutants get trapped inside and concentrated without proper ventilation or filtration, according to the American Lung Association.

For example, active fireplaces and gas appliances release tiny airborne particles that can get into the lungs and chemicals like nitrogen dioxide, a major component of smog, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Cleaning products, air-fresheners and candles also emit air pollutants at varying concentrations.

Candles can make an atmospheric addition to a dinner table – but they can be problematic for some guests, so take some precautions. Photo: Shutterstock
Candles can make an atmospheric addition to a dinner table – but they can be problematic for some guests, so take some precautions. Photo: Shutterstock

The risk fragrances and other air pollutants may pose to respiratory health depends on the source, the length and intensity of a person’s exposure, and individual health, McCormack said.

It is also important to note that some pollutants have no smell, so unscented products still can affect indoor air quality, experts say.

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