The Smell of Christmas, or is it Cancer? The Health Risk of those Pine Scented Candles
The Christmas season is soon upon us and that means we are spending more time indoors, which means we are being exposed to many indoor pollutants. Indoor pollution is 5-10 times worse than outdoor pollution due to the many sources and the amount of time we spend inside. While on my walks with the dog I get to see all of the Christmas decorations being hung up and I can’t help but wonder how many people are buying and using the synthetic Christmas scented candles and air fragrances. I am a bit of a Grinch when it come to this stuff only because of the dangers that are linked with these products. The synthetic chemicals that make up the fake fragrance of Christmas is likely to be carcinogenic, an allergen, a respiratory irritant, an endocrine disruptor, they contain neurotoxin chemicals and are environmental toxicants. UGH, Really?? Yes, sorry to be a Scrooge. For the sake of a piney smell in your house, you could potentially be exposed to and suffer from allergies, congestion, headaches, lung irritation, fatigue, mood swings, depression and nausea just to name a few. There is really no use in using you BPA and BPS free water bottles to avoid Endocrine Disruption if you are going to use toxic fragrances in your home. Resit the urge to light one of those fake green or red candles that are suppose to smell like a forrest and instead, source out healthier ways of making your house smell festive. Essential oils are a fantastic way, boil some orange peel, cinnamon sticks and cloves on the stove, or if you must have a candle ensure it is beeswax with a lead free wick.
