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Lead in candle emissions.

Shirley J Wasson1, Zhishi Guo, Jenia A McBrian

  • 1US Environmental Protection Agency, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA. wasson.shirley@epa.gov

The Science of the Total Environment
|October 26, 2002
PubMed
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Lead-core candle wicks can emit dangerous lead particulates into indoor air. Burning these candles can significantly increase lead exposure, especially for children, posing a public health risk.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Toxicology
  • Consumer Product Safety

Background:

  • Lead is a toxic heavy metal with known adverse health effects, particularly in children.
  • Lead was phased out of gasoline in 1986, but can still be present in other consumer products.
  • Candle sales in the US are substantial, indicating widespread indoor use.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence of lead in candle wicks.
  • To quantify lead emissions from burning candles.
  • To assess potential indoor air lead concentrations and human exposure risks.

Main Methods:

  • Purchased 100 sets of candles appearing to have metal-cored wicks or metallic pigment.
  • Analyzed wick composition and lead core density.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Burned candles in a closed chamber to measure air emissions and assess lead mass balance.
  • Modeled indoor air concentrations and child exposure based on emission rates.

    • Main Results:

    • 8% of purchased candles contained lead wicks (39-74% lead).
    • Individual candles emitted lead at rates of 100-1700 microg/h.
    • Burning single candles exceeded EPA's ambient air lead limit (1.5 microg/m3).
    • Burning multiple candles exceeded OSHA permissible exposure limits (50 microg/m3).

    Conclusions:

    • Lead-core candle wicks are a source of indoor lead air pollution.
    • Burning lead-wick candles can lead to significant inhalation exposure for children.
    • Consumer awareness and regulation of lead-wick candles are warranted to protect public health.