12 Days of a GREEN Christmas- Day 2: Candles

What is indoor air quality?

People spend about 90 percent of their time indoors.

Indoor air quality is the quality of the air within a building that can affect your health, comfort, and well-being. Exposure to indoor air pollutants can cause immediate or long-term health effects. Understanding and controlling common pollutants can reduce your risk.

Primary sources of indoor air pollution release gases or particles into the air.

Common pollutants:

Candles, household cleaners, appliances, smoke, tobacco products, building materials, hobbies, excess moisture, mold, bacteria, radon, VOCs, carbon monoxide, pesticides, and outdoor air pollutions.

Ways to reduce indoor air pollution and improve indoor air quality:

Identifying the pollutant. Removing toxins, dusting and cleaning, improving HVAC system, or installing an air purifier.

Candles

Candles when burned create a lovely since of warmth and ambiance, the scent and the warm flicker of the flame is so nice. However, candles are a source of indoor air pollution, they emit particulate matter (candle soot) into the air. Commonly candles are made from paraffin or a mix of paraffin, which is made from petroleum. When burned it releases carcinogenic toxins such as benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, and soot. Other candle types: Soy and beeswax are said to be safer and non-toxic by producing less soot and toxins. Make sure to read your labels because these candles tend to be mixed with paraffin.

Diffusers

Fall and Christmas are a time we burn the spicy and tree scented candles. An alternative to burning candles is to use an essential oil diffuser. An ultrasonic diffuser is filled with water and a few drops of essential oils and creates a cool mist to diffuse the essential oils into the air. Essential oils and diffusers are also used for aromatherapy. Not all essential oils are created equal, some are made with fillers and fragrances. I prefer Young Living essential oils, let me know if you want to talk more about essential oils sometime!

Holly Jolly Christmas– Diffuser blend for a Christmas Scent without candles. See it on Instagram here.

• 3 drops–Orange
• 3 drops– Pine
• 3 drops– Grapefruit
• 3 drops– Christmas Spirit

If you’re ready to get started with Young Living essential oils then check out this post.