By Neil Shaw

Copyright walesonline

A doctor has issued a health warning over candles as people reach for them in darker evenings, as it isn;t just the fire risk that peopel need to be aware of. Each year, there are more than 1,000 fires linked to candles, equivalent to three a day, with the majority of occurring between October and February. Most candle fires break out between 9pm and midnight, with sleep being a factor in 10% – and health experts say there are other hidden dangers you need to be aware of. Dr. Hana Patel , NHS GP and GP Medico-Legal Expert Witness, said chemicals from candles can often be allergy and asthma triggers, and may cause flare-ups, especially with fragranced candles and paraffin wax. Dr Patel said: “When scented candles are lit indoors, several harmful gases are released. They range greatly, from those known to have no effect on health, to ones that may be cancerous. The discharge of combustion gases like carbon monoxide or nitrogen oxide would contaminate the interior environment, according to studies done in environmental test chambers. “A number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that have been identified as carcinogens, such as naphthalene, anthracene, and pyrene, were also found in candle fumes that are products of wax, aroma substances, or combustion dyes. The most common complaints from those who had been exposed to scented candles were vertigo, headaches, mucosa irritation, respiratory issues, watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy nose, chest tightness, and a dry or irritated throat.” One study of scented candle users found that 24.8% of users reported health issues, including 15.2% suffering from headaches, 8.9% stated shortness of breath, and 7.8% documented coughing.6 The researchers found that headaches, sneezing, and wheezing symptoms increased when using candles for more than an hour. Martin Seeley, Senior Sleep Expert at MattressNextDay , said burning candles can be linked to poor sleep quality, respiratory, cardiovascular, and cognitive issues and diseases. Many popular candles used today are made from paraffin wax, which, when burned, can potentially release dangerous chemicals into the air, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde. These chemicals have been linked to lung problems, increased risks of leukaemia and other blood cancers, and even DNA damage with high or prolonged exposure. The most significant risk comes from cumulative exposure to both VOCs and particulate matter. Long-term exposure to particulate matter is linked to asthma attacks, increased risk of cardiac events, stroke, and even cognitive decline, such as dementia. A recent study suggests that even short-term exposure to air pollution, like from lit candles, impacts the brain’s ability to focus and interpret other people’s emotions. Martin said: “Although candles are commonly used to wind down before sleep, research suggests that they can potentially harm sleep. The combined impacts from the release of chemicals have been linked to disrupted sleep patterns and breathing difficulties while sleeping. Long-term exposure to indoor air pollutants can decrease rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and general poor sleep quality. “It is well researched that light can heavily influence circadian rhythms, and some studies suggest that even the dim light given off by candles could suppress melatonin production, a hormone crucial for controlling the body’s sleep cycle. This can then make it harder to fall asleep and reduce overall sleep quality.”