There are many articles about the dangers of paraffin candles, I have copied parts of some articles and pasted them together here.  Most articles compare paraffin with soy wax — not beeswax.  The reason is simple — beeswax is rare and expensive and there are not many candles made from it.  

The following is an excerpt from one of my favorite articles – you can read the whole thing at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HKL/is_5_7/ai_66918312

Healthy & Natural Journal,  Oct, 2000  by Vicki L. Elmore We’ve all burned candles in our homes. Scented or aromatherapy candles proliferate, particularly around the holidays. Candles add soft ambience. Their warm glow and sweet scent make a home cozy and the occasion special.Besides the danger of fire, could there be another hidden danger? Last year the American Lung Association issued a warning stating that candles are fast becoming one of the most common unrecognized causes of poor indoor air quality. Since then, there has been a flurry of reports saying that candles are a health hazard.Healthy & Natural discusses this issue with Mike Richards, president and founder of Candleworks, Inc. of Iowa City, Iowa. Started only nine years ago, Candleworks has become a nationally recognized company not only for its all-natural candles but also for its social and environmental commitment.Q: What type of wax is generally used in candles?Paraffin is the predominant wax used in the candle industry. Paraffin is basically the “bottom of the barrel” even after asphalt is extracted. Paraffin is the final byproduct in the petroleum refining chain.Q: When did paraffin candles first appear on the market?About 120 years ago, candles began to be mass-produced for commercial use. This parallels the emergence of the petroleum refinery industry. Paraffin is the byproduct or leftover residue of refined petroleum. Because paraffin is produced in such huge quantities (The United States produces about 10 billion pounds each year), it became the logical choice for the candle and food packaging industries.Q: What makes paraffin candles hazardous to our health?David Krause, an air quality engineer and former employee of the Florida Department of Health, says that the soot given off from the burning of paraffin candles is the same as that given off by burning diesel fuel. Some of the air contaminants in paraffin fumes include toluene, benzene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and naphthalene–substances found in paint, lacquer and varnish removers.The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that benzene and toluene are probable human carcinogens.The state of California, under its Proposition 65 Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, has identified at least seven major toxins in paraffin wax including the carcinogen benzene.Q: Are the candle wicks also toxic?About 30 percent of the candles on the market have lead core wicks. Lead and zinc are metals commonly used in the core of the wicks. The metal makes the wicks stand up straight making candle manufacturing easier.The University of Michigan recently conducted a study which showed that one-third of the candles tested from the United States and overseas released more lead into the air than is recommended as safe by the EPA.The study also showed the amounts of lead in the air increased the longer the candles burned.Q: Didn’t the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) know about the wicks as early as the 1970s?Yes. In the early 1970s, the notice was made regarding the lead wicks and the candle industry said they would voluntarily stop using lead or other metals in the wicks. However, 26 years later the University of Michigan took random samplings and found about 30 percent of the candles tested still used the lead wicks.Q: How do the fumes from burning paraffin affect us?At this point medical information is inadequate. There is definitely a need for more thorough medical studies to determine exactly the short-term and long-term effects of inhaling paraffin fumes. The state of California, with its Proposition 65, seems to be where a lot of investigation is taking place.Dr. Andrew Well has made statements on his web page about paraffin fumes causing tumors in the kidneys and livers of lab animals. He does not, however, cite his sources.Q: What about scented candles or those used for aromatherapy?People should realize that most oils used in scented candles are petroleum-based synthetics and not the natural plant-derived essential oils. Whenever we sell our soybean wax to other candlemakers, we encourage them to use natural plant-based oils.Q: What does the National Candle Association have to say?It is interesting to note that the National Candle Association, the organization that represents the candle industry in the United States, has sent me a letter asking me to cease telling the public about the dangers of paraffin. When the American Lung Association made a similar announcement last year, the NCA threatened them with legal action.

The following is from a San Francisco based internet newsletter called

 “MetroActive” — published in November of 2003.

The web address is http://www.metroactive.com/papers/sonoma/11.13.03/candles-0346.html  Burning Bright  Beeswax and soy candles are a safe alternative to harmful  paraffin candles  By Bill Strubbe  While rearranging paintings in her home, Cathy Crystal noticed gray smudges on the wall around the frames. Baffled, she discovered similar gray “ghosting” bordering electrical outlets and air vents. “We don’t allow smoking in our house and have a stove exhaust, so it didn’t make sense,” recalls the California nutritionist. A week later, when lighting a constellation of votives on the mantle before an evening soiree, the source of the mystery soot dawned on her.  In 2001 the American Lung Association issued warnings that candles are a common unrecognized cause of poor indoor air quality. The National Association of Home Builders has received increasing reports implicating candles as a major cause of black soot deposition, which damages home interiors, not to mention skin and lungs. These microscopic particles–smaller than 2.5 microns–are recognized by the EPA as responsible for aggravating respiratory illnesses, especially in children. Candles, per se, are not problematic; rather, the culprits are paraffin, colorants, synthetic scents, and lead wicks.  Paraffin is the last product after asphalt in petroleum refining. The grayish-black sludge is decolored with 100 percent strength bleach, creating dioxins, before further processing. The resulting wax contains a host of toxins, including benzene and toluene, both recognized as possible carcinogens by the EPA. Industry regulations do not require candle manufacturers and retailers to disclose hazardous compounds, or to provide a comprehensive ingredient list, even upon consumer request.  “We do know that there are irritants in the burning of paraffin and petrochemicals,” explains Chris Molinari, vice president of global communications at the Aveda gift company, which uses only beeswax and essential oils in its candle products. “And from a sustainability perspective, as a brand, we do not use any materials that are not from a renewable source.”  The multibillion dollar candle industry has boomed in the last decade. Fragrance intensity boosts sales, and many manufacturers simply dump in more synthetic oils, then claim dubious aromatherapy benefits.  “A lot of big companies are jumping on the bandwagon and saying their products are aromatherapeutic, when they’re not,” says Cheryl Hoard, president of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. “They’re using synthetic fragrances instead of essential oils.”  Though U.S. candle makers voluntarily agreed 25 years ago to prohibit lead-core wicks, some imported candles still contain the toxic metal, the burning of which results in airborne lead particles that can be respired. A study conducted by the University of Michigan School of Public Health found that burning a candle with a lead-core wick inside a room for an hour can raise to unsafe levels airborne lead particles. (Rub wick tip on paper; if there’s a pencil-like mark, toss it.)  But the good news is that candles made from natural wax sources–beeswax, soya, bayberry, and palm–are benign and burn clean. Beeswax, derived from flowers and bees, is nontoxic, naturally aromatic, and when burned emits beneficial negative ions that actually help purify the air. But beeswax supplies are limited, making it expensive.  Recently a renewable, nonpolluting candle wax has entered the market: soya wax. While researching cost-cutting measures for beeswax candles for the Body Shop, candle maker Michael Richard of Iowa created a viable market for what is considered a surplus commodity. “Currently I use only about 2 million pound of soy oil a year, but I hope the amount will increase as the health hazards of paraffin–about 2 to 3 billion pounds annually used in candles–become more well-known,” says Richards, who now trains people to become cottage-industry chandlers. “With about 18 billion pounds of soy oil produced every year, it’s possible to replace petroleum wax without planting more soy beans.”   The following is excerpted From http://www.ecocandleco.com/benefits.html “Paraffin wax is used in more than 95% of candle making done today, mainly because it is very inexpensive. Paraffin is the leftover by-product from the petroleum refining process. Studies have shown that this petroleum by-product can release the same harmful carcinogens into the atmosphere as your car produces when gasoline is burned. When a paraffin candle in burned, it produces toxic petrol-carbon soot, which can blacken walls, furniture and ceilings and contaminate ventilation ductwork in your home. This soot goes into the air you breathe and can be hazardous to your health.  In 1986, proposition 65 was passed with the intent to protect California citizens and the state’s drinking water sources from chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm, and to inform citizens about exposures to such chemicals.  Paraffin candles contain up to 11 of these known carcinogenic compounds.  These 11 compounds have been deemed ‘toxic air contaminants’ by the state of California. This is not only a health problem, but it is also a moral problem. We need to demand safer alternatives. ”    The following in excerpted from http://www.aboutsoywax.com/paraffin_wax.html  About Paraffin Wax There are three main reasons many people avoid buying petroleum (paraffin) products:  
  • Petroleum smoke/exhaust contains many carcinogenic toxins and produces ugly black soot
 
  • Petroleum is not a renewable resource and it is of a limited supply
  
  • Burning petroleum products creates air pollution and contributes to global warming
 Paraffin candles contain up to 11 carcinogenic compounds. These 11 compounds have been deemed ‘toxic air contaminants’ by the State of California.  An air quality researcher, David Krause, has documented evidence that candle soot particles contain many of the same compounds given off from burning diesel fuel.  In the Nov/Dec 2000 edition of the Emagazine, in an article titled, ‘The Inside Scoop,’ Kathleen O’Neil writes that a recent study of residents in both residential and an industrial areas found chemical levels in the subjects’ bodies indicating they had received doses of pollutants in their homes five to 70 times higher than the highest outdoor levels.  Burning candles are listed in the article as contributing their share of indoor pollution.  Paraffin Wax is a Health hazard  Health hazards are being created when paraffin (petroleum-based wax) is mixed with synthetic fragrance (some not even meant for combustion), and are compounded with chemical fixatives, synthetic glosses and bleached cotton wicks. Health problems have been more evident in the past five or so years due to the increase in popularity of highly scented candles.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars of home and furniture damage have been reported, causing a battle with insurance companies and retailers of the candles.  Candle ingredients are not required to be listed  Unfortunately, a large percentage of the human population is not aware of candle ingredients, although awareness is growing. One reason is that candle ingredients are not required to be listed, and labels are often worded in such a way that some consumers think they are buying healthy, aromatherapy candles, when in reality the candle is mostly a petroleum wax, synthetic scent, synthetic fixatives, with a little bit of plant essential oil added in.  Even if a candle is labeled as being made of beeswax, often there is paraffin as well. The wicks are usually made of chemically grown cotton that has been bleached using dioxins. Wicks that have a metal, or zinc core, contain small amounts of lead. Most department stores provide no other option than to buy paraffin candles. However, some natural food stores have begun carrying plant-wax candles. Beware of “SOY BLENDS” that DO have Paraffin in them!  
 
Excerpted from The Global Healing Center at http://www.ghchealth.com/candle-wicks-and-health.html Health Hazards to Know About Candle Wicks and Health  Candles often contain additives which change their color, scent, orburning characteristics. While these chemicals can make your candles lookand smell nice, they can also release toxins into your house when they are burned. Beeswax and bayberry wax are two naturally scented waxes, beeswax offeringthe sweet smell of honey and bayberry a spicy, fresh aroma. Scents added to wax vary in their source and composition. Originally, perfumes came from animal and vegetable sources. In the late 1800s the first synthetic fragrances were produced, and were quickly adopted as a cheaper source of aromas. The American Lung Association says: “Refrain from burning scented or slow-burning candles that have additives.” Fragrance oils, also known as “FO’s”, are specially made for particular uses such as scenting candles, soaps and cosmetics, or potpourris. They are usually synthetic (man made combinations of chemicals). Exact formulas for fragrances fall under the be able to produce a Materials Safety Data Sheet which will cover the physical characteristics of the oil, physical or health hazards, and first aid treatment in case of an accident. Candle scents contain stabilizers and fixatives which allow the oils to mix with wax and give off an aroma when heated. Essential oils, or “EO’s”, are naturally-occurring oils that are extracted mainly from botanical sources. They are usually more expensive than synthetic fragrances, and may not blend well with candle wax. They are more volatile than synthetics and most of them are difficult to use in candles unless they have added stabilizers or fixatives. Nature-identical scents are man-made copies of natural oils, using the same chemicals in combination to imitate particular scents. They are usually sold as fragrance oils. There are two types of coloring agents for wax, pigments and dyes. Pigments are concentrated colors not usually used in the interior of candles because their granularity can clog the wick. They are used to dip the exterior of candles for a deeper color than can be achieved with dyes. Oil-soluble aniline (coal tar) dyes have the ability to color a candlethrough and through. The safety of colors used in candles depends largely on the particular colors used. Manufacturers provide material safety data sheets on dyes and pigments, but to do effective research, you will need to know both the manufacturer and the particular color or colors used in a candle. Stearic acid is was once the only additive available for paraffin candles and is derived from either animal fat or palm oil. It is now often replaced with Vybar, a polymer which raises the melting point of paraffin, allows scents and colors to blend evenly in the wax, and gives the paraffin some of the qualities of more expensive waxes, allowing candlemakers to charge more for a relatively cheap candle. Microcrystallines are a group of substances derived from petroleum thatare added to candles to change the texture of the wax, add gloss, increaseopacity, etc. Polyethylenes are produced from natural gas (or by “cracking” petroleumnaptha). They add gloss, luster, or clear crystals to wax. Other common additives are uv inhibitors, release agents, and softeners(vegetable-, mineral- or animal-derived oils). Are candle additives safe?The American Lung Association says: “Refrain from burning scented orslow-burning candles that have additives.” They suggest burning beeswaxcandles instead of scented or slow-burning candles with metal in the wick,or candles that are greasy to the touch. How to choose healthy candles: Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for healthy candles: 1) Buy candles from trusted countries. Imported candles often come fromcountries where they use chemicals no longer used in North Americabecause of health concerns.2) Ask what the wick is made of. If your vendor can’t tell you, don’t buyit. Cotton or hemp wicks are considered to be the safest.Choose candles made from beeswax or soy wax. Avoid paraffin.3) Be aware that many candle manufacturers make claims for their candles orwaxes that can’t be substantiated, or are untrue.