Candle Soot Can Cause Poor
Indoor Air Quality
Candle burning has always been a pastime in the World to create a sense of harmony or ambiance through
scent and tactile sight. The use of candles has a long history going back thousands of years. If you visit an old Cathedral in Europe or South
America, you will see the signs of soot staining on the walls and ceilings. The first Indoor Air Quality Program
was instituted by King Charles I of England in the 1600's. It stated that no home could be built with
a ceiling height of less than 10 feet and windows had to be higher than
they were wide. Candle Sooting was a problem then as well as now. That is one of the reasons that the old buildings
had high ceilings to prevent an Indoor Air Quality problem. They knew then what we are slowing learning about now
in the 21st Century.
Ghosting or black staining on the interior of houses
and buildings is becoming a new source of Indoor Air Quality problem. Candles, when burnt, release soot which can
outline furniture, carpets under closed doors, stain walls, fabrics and event damage some types of
artwork..
Soot is a form of black carbon due to the incomplete
burning of the
candle. These particles can remain in the air for hours after burning candles before settling down on
horizontal surfaces. It can contaminate a clean Air Conditioning system by depositing this carbon and
particles of unburned wax on the coils, filter and ductwork. It can also be mistaken for mold growth in coils
and ductwork. From personal experience, we have seen some units that cannot be cleaned due to this depositing
of soot on the coils. One unit and ductwork had to be removed and replaced due to candle burning. Burning
candles can cost the average homeowner thousands of dollars if you are  not careful. It will damage property and can become a heath concern.
See:
Candles-American Lung Association
We are not advocating not having a candle lit dinner
for two with your sweetheart. What we are saying is use caution and not burn them all the time. Use due care to
prevent problems in future.
Need Help: Safe Homes
Environmental Consultants
Call (954)
531-6476?
| 
