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Toxic candles
PEOPLE traditionally visit cemeteries on Nov. 1 (All Saints’ Day) and Nov. 2 (All Souls’ Day). They not only bring flowers for their dearly departed; they also light candles. They must remember that not all candles are the same. Some are toxic. Imported candles with leaded wicks are hazardous to the environment and health.
Unlike locally-made candles that has mostly cotton-based wicks, some gel or paraffin wax Chinese candles contain lead core wicks which can emit lead fumes during burning. It is not safe to burn candles with leaded wicks, especially for young children and pregnant women who can be exposed to lead in the smoke and soot. We must be careful; there is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe, according to the World Health Organization.
Children are most susceptible to the adverse health effects of exposure to lead. Such exposure can irreparably damage the developing brain of the fetus in the womb and even trigger miscarriage for pregnant women.
Candles with lead core wicks had been banned since 1999 in Australia, 2001 in Finland, 2002 in Denmark and 2003 in the USA in to prevent children’s exposure to lead fumes. In particular, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has determined that candles with leaded wicks could pose a lead poisoning hazard to young children, prompting the agency to ban such candles since October 2003.
Subsequent health warning from the US CPSC stated that “children may then inhale the vaporized lead, placing them at risk,” adding that “children may also be exposed to lead by mouthing objects on which lead has settled or by handling such objects and then mouthing their hands.”
We hope our health authorities remain vigilant. Dangerous candles with leaded wicks must be banned and removed from the market to safeguard public health. The safest thing people can do is avoid buying and using candles with metallic core unless certified to be lead-safe. Or better yet, patronize only locally-made candles that are of good quality and non-toxic.
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