Burning scented candles can spark health issues, experts say

For many of us, home for the holidays means — like it or not! — somebody’s scented candles, burning somewhere in the house.

And, for most of us, the very worst we’ll suffer, after being subjected to hours of “sugar and spice” or “winter wonderland” up the nostrils, is a reminder of how hard on the old schnoz those cheap scents can be.

Then there are those for whom the treasured tapers can be downright dangerous, according to new research published in the Annals of Medicine and Surgery, first written about in The Cut.

Anyone suffering from vertigo, headaches, respiratory issues, watery eyes, sneezing, or a stuffy nose after candle exposure should avoid the smelly sticks in future, according to study authors.

And even if you don’t suffer adverse effects? It can’t hurt to crack a window and get some fresh air, just in case.

That’s because many candles contain ingredients that can be potentially hazardous to those with health issues, the study revealed.

The first threat comes from toluene, found in candles made from parrafin, or petroleum-based wax.

“Extended exposure to high concentrations of toluene has been linked to a number of health hazards, including effects on the nervous system, the respiratory system, and the developing brain,” said study co-author Ariful Haque, MPPS, MPH.

Then there’s benzidine, found in some of the dyes used to color candles. There’s “a correlation between occupational exposure to benzidine and the development of urinary bladder cancer,” Haque said.

Not that you need to turf out your colored candle collection right away — benzidine’s dangers are said to come from the type of long-term exposure associated with making candles, rather than burning them in your home on occasion.

The trouble comes when you’re trying to see which candles are made with benzidine and which are not — information that’s not always readily available.

For alternatives, Haque and the rest of the study’s authors recommend natural fragrances — versus synthetic, commonly used. Soy and beeswax candles are also an option, according to The Cut.

The news comes as Target has recalled millions of store-brand scented candles due to burn and laceration risks.

The Post also published an interview with a woman who wound up in hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning after burning multiple scented candles in a small room for ten hours.

“I will never buy a scented candle ever again, for I am traumatized,” California-based content creator Emy Moore told The Post.