With the winter holiday celebrations coming up, so many families are already looking forward to snuggling inside. They especially love all the seasonal aromas coming from candles and fireplaces. As experts like Robert Herron would be happy to tell you, these cherished customs can inadvertently pose serious threats to our indoor air quality. Rachael Lewis-Abbott, an IAQA ambassador, reminds us to remain diligent about indoor air pollutants this fall. She emphasizes the importance of protecting your health by staying aware of air quality.
The Indoor Air Quality Association IAQA is a nonprofit society representing professionals focusing on the identification, prevention and resolution of indoor air quality problems. With the colder months coming up, more people will be spending time indoors. This limits the ability to safeguard tenants from harmful exposure or hold landlords accountable when exposure occurs. Dr. Meredith McCormack, director of the pulmonary and critical care medicine division at Johns Hopkins University’s medical school, has immersed herself in research examining how air quality affects lung health for more than two decades. Her research has drawn attention to the disproportionate effects of indoor air pollution on children.
Ellen Wilkowe of New Jersey has an unhealthy obsession with burning scented candles in her house. Her absolute favorite though, is the cozy fragrances of vanilla and cinnamon. Her teenaged daughter loves using seasonal smells like gingerbread. These scents envelop us in the comfort and joy of memories as the holidays unfold. They can have a serious downside … indoor air quality.
The warm spices in gingerbread, the woodsy aroma of pine and fir trees, and the fruity tang of mulled wine are smells synonymous with the holiday season,” said Dr. McCormack. As she warns, “clean air is fragrance-free,” calling attention to the dangers of what people are inhaling.
Children are uniquely vulnerable to air pollution. Given their smaller lung size, they can be more vulnerable to the detrimental impacts of poor air quality. Dr. McCormack noted, “The more risk factors you have, the more harmful air pollution or poor air quality indoors can be.” This announcement further emphasizes the need to provide high-quality, safe indoor spaces—especially for our most vulnerable populations.
Ellen Wilkowe chooses candles made with soy-based waxes, as opposed to those made from petroleum-based paraffin. This decision reflects a growing awareness of the fire hazards associated with certain candles. They know the truth about how these products can worsen indoor air quality. According to Lewis-Abbott, many people do not realize what they are inhaling until more severe problems arise, such as gas leaks or mold growth. “It’s out of sight, out of mind,” she said.
The level of risk posed by fragrances and other indoor air pollutants hinges on several factors: the source of the pollutants, the duration and intensity of exposure, and individual health conditions. Dr. McCormack posits that even modest gains in air quality can result in the quantified benefits to health that we all want to see realized. Everyday steps—from increasing ventilation to selecting better-burning candles—can make a big difference in indoor air quality.
In anticipation of all the holiday fun and frolic, families should plan for their indoor spaces too. It’s important to understand how candles and other everyday sources of indoor pollution can impact your health this season. Knowing how this effect works can keep you safer and healthier. With some mindful consumerism, we can all take steps to reduce the risks and continue to enjoy the fragrances that make our holidays memorable.
