Soy Candles

The origin of soy wax is from soybeans.  Soybeans are a renewable resource, grown all around the world.  Soy wax is made from hydrogenating the oil of the soybeans.  The origin of paraffin wax is from kerosene.  It is the final left over byproduct of petroleum refining.  When we burn soy wax candles we help to support the farming industry of America and reduce our dependency on foreign oil. 

Soy wax candles are healthier to burn than paraffin.  They do not contain the dangerous elements that paraffin do, 11 of them having been detected by the EPA.  Some of these have been shown to be carcinogenic.  One of them is carbon tetrachloride, which can cause liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage with chronic exposure to it.  Some other contaminants to the air with paraffin wax fumes are toluene, benzene, methyl ethyl ketone, and naphthalene.  These substances are also found in paint and varnish removers.  The soot of paraffin wax candles is the same as that produced by burning diesel fuel.  The American Lung Association has given warnings in regard to burning paraffin wax candles, citing them as a cause of indoor air contamination.

So the question today is: soy wax candles versus paraffin wax candles?  It is your decision which one to burn.  May you make a healthy and wise economic choice.