Levels of selected organic compounds in materials for candle production and human exposure to candle emissions

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), dibenzofurans (PCDF) selected chlorinated pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and some volatile organic compounds (VOC) were analysed in the exhaust fumes of candles made from different waxes and finishing materials. To guarantee defined burning conditions a chamber was developed for the sampling of the exhaust fumes. Using a simple exposure model, the inhalative uptake of PCDD/PCDF by an adult person was calculated for different scenarios. It was shown that additional uptake of PCDD/PCDF caused by candle emissions does not contribute significantly to the total daily intake of these compounds. Emissions of PCDD/PCDF, benzo(a)pyrene and the VOC were then compared to limit value for working places. Even when many candles would be burnt at the same time in a small room, concentrations of the compounds investigated stay 1 % of the tolerable limit values.