Getting Better with Soy Candles
By Sam Cyrus

Candles in the past are generally made from paraffin wax. However, for health reasons, many candles are made from soy oil at present. Of course this is the result of differences before.

There are some reasons why using soy wax to the majority candle makers :
1. We know that paraffin wax is derived from petroleum sludge while the soy wax is derived from soybeans or vegetables.
2. It is a heavy black soot leaved by burning paraffin but there is so clean of the burning soy wax. This soy wax is easy to be removed by soap and hot water from cloth and fibers.
3. Paraffin candles may not burn completely but soy wax can burn completely or evenly. The soy wax can burn also until 50 percent longer than paraffin.

From the point 1 above, we can understand that we are breathing in petroleum vapors when burning a paraffin. For people who have asthma, burning parafin can trigger allergies and asthma attacks. There must be harmful vapors containing a variety of carsinogens on the burned paraffin wax, so this is not good for our health. The soy wax is all natural and there is 100 percent non-toxic. Because of this health reason, the soy wax must be better than the paraffin.

A study released in January 2001 by Iowa University as to emissions of different waxes, stated that two known carcinogens - benzene and toluene - were found in the paraffin.

Point 2 above may be the other benefits of using soy wax compared with the paraffin. Being clean is what many people want especially to keep house nice and clean.

According to an article entitled, "Gap Sued for Candle Soot," which appeared on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, March 31, 1999, petro-soot is as harmful as second-hand tobacco smoke.

The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) has been receiving numerous reports about black petroleum carbon soot deposits from paraffin candles. According to a research study by the consumer study group, Smith and Kline, seven out of ten homes burn paraffin candles on a regular basis. The NAHB states this practice has far reaching implications, effecting millions of homes and causing millions of dollars in home repainting costs. The NAHB considers this a potentially significant health problem.

Burning soy wax is more effective than burning paraffin, see also the point 3 above. Being naturally of the soy wax also enables itself not to be blended with chemicals in order to get fragrance. The soy wax fragrances are released naturally, disperse more quickly and last longer. This is what richly scented candle do on the soy wax candle.

Hence, most of sold candles are made of paraffin. So How do we choose soy? We know already that soy wax is natural biodegradable and non toxic.