Soy Candle Information

Soy Wax	Paraffin Wax
Comes from soy bean oil. A natural resource grown by American Farmers.	Petroleum by-product and is the most common type of wax used in the U.S. due to its low cost for the manufacturer.
Soy wax burns cleaner and longer. It is non-toxic, with no petrol-carbon soot.	Paraffin wax releases thick black soot when burned, as well as 11 documented toxins, 2 are carcinogenic - toulene and benzene. The American Lung Association has warned consumers of unhealthy indoor air quality from burning paraffin candles.
Environmentally Friendly - a renewable source.	Contributes to the dependency on crude oil.
Easily cleans up with soap and water. If you've ever spilled paraffin wax, you'll appreciate this. Soy wax can be easily extracted from glass, tin, and other material for recycling.	Not easily removable from clothing, carpet, or other material.

We have gathered this information from a wide variety of independent resources listed below:

*This site lists the EPA report - http://web.ksl.com/dump/news/cc/series/candepa.htm

*The American Lung Association - http://www.healthhouse.org/new/candletip.htm

*A news report - http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/features/050901_EX_aromacandles.html

*Discusses a lawsuit that was filed in 1997 against the Gap regarding the candles they sold http://www.lead.org.au/lanv7n4/L74-4.html

*An article that was done back in 2002 printed in USAToday discussed soy candles - http://www.usatoday.com/life/2002-08-20-candle_x.htm

*There was a study done by Iowa University as to emissions of different waxes, released in January of 2001. Two known carcinogens were found in paraffin - Benzene and Toulene.

*A report was issued by the Agricultural Engineering Department at Purdue University, it stated: "Paraffin contains aromatic compounds which are released when candles are burned that are detrimental to health. Paraffin candles release carcinogens when they are burned." Petro-soot is as harmful as second-hand tobacco smoke. (See Wall St. Journal, front page, 3/31/99: Gap Sued for Candle Soot.)

*The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) has been receiving numerous reports about black petroleum carbon soot deposits from paraffin candles. According to a research study by the Consumer Study group, Smith and Kline, 7 out of 10 homes burn paraffin candles on a regular basis. The National Home Builders Association states that this has far reaching implications, effecting millions of homes. This causes millions of dollars in home repainting costs and is potentially a very significant health problem.

*"The American lung Association also has warned consumers of unhealthy indoor air quality from burning candles containing petroleum byproducts.”

*Tejada, Carlos. "Incensed by Soot: Decorative Candles Ignite a Crusade."

The Wall Street Journal. 31 March 1999 (p. A1).

	Angel Scented Candles LLC © 2006