In the early 2000s I was granted an honorary certificate in Bau Biology, which is the biology of buildings. Included were air born toxins, electro magnetic pollution, chemical toxins and those people's health who were unable to tolerate any of these. We live in a world where so much is taken for granted, that is until we become intolerant and ill. Then answers are demanded and not forthcoming from the medical community, folks begin to seek the answers for themselves. Such it is with artificial scents. They are compound chemicals, sometimes hundreds together to create a particular smell. Most are volatile, that is they become air born under the right circumstances. Heat is often a catalyst for stimulating the volatile chemicals, hence, wax pods that are heated suddenly release the scent. It is the scents that people deliberately add to their homes that I wish to address.
Under many guises, we have been sold some rather polluted goods. One large company that sells wax pucks or pods, warmed with electric gadgets or plug ins, claims that their products are natural and safe. They are anything but natural or safe. How can the scent of blue waters or cinnamon buns be bottled? There is nothing that is natural in the products. The wax is parrafin, which is the sludge from oil refining, that is further refined, but still an organic chemical and that emits harmful ions. The company claims because it is not burned it is safe. Really? The chemical compounds and the wax are not safe and create harmful emissions that stay in the air. All scented candles and pods should be used outdoors if at all, and I would recommend not at all. Why pollute the outdoors? Indoor air quality of many homes is more polluted than the outside air. Why? Scented products, volatile compounds from off gassing of new products and more.
Let's look at an alternative. If you love candles, burn 100% pure beeswax candles. They create negative ions which bind with the free radicals (indoor pollution) and drop inert to the floor. They clean the air. Soot is not produced if they are used correctly away from drafts and they emit a wonderful honey fragrance, which really is natural. Yes, bees are endangered and beeswax is expensive, but do you have to burn the candles daily? Try other ways to freshen the air of your home. Simmer a pot of white vinegar and water on the stove for a while, maybe adding two or three clove buds or a cinnamon stick. Never smoke inside. Eliminate the causes of odors rather than try to mask them. And please, stay away from scented candles and wax pods.