The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) has advised caution when using scented candles and incense sticks after an inspection revealed them to be producers of air pollutants. (Image courtesy of Pixabay)
SEOUL, Jan. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) has advised caution when using scented candles and incense sticks after an inspection revealed them to be producers of air pollutants.
The KCA announced January 26 that after testing 10 different scented candles and incense sticks by burning one of the former for two hours and one of the latter for fifteen minutes in a 10.23㎥ space roughly the size of a 59㎡ apartment suite bathroom, it found three scented candles and five incense sticks had generated amounts of hazardous substances exceeding mandated safety limits.
After the three scented candles were burned, the space was found to contain total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) with concentrations ranging from 552 to 2,803㎍/㎥, over the 500㎍/㎥ restriction set by the government for indoor spaces at public facilities (subway stations, libraries, etc.).
After the three scented candles were burned, the space was found to contain total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) with concentrations ranging from 552 to 2,803㎍/㎥, over the 500㎍/㎥ restriction set by the government for indoor spaces at public facilities (subway stations, libraries, etc.). (Image: Yonhap)
The five incense sticks violated a 30㎍/㎥ limit on indoor air quality of newly constructed residential buildings, having produced 33 to 186㎍/㎥ of benzene.
These products were additionally tested in a larger 58㎥ space resembling a living room of a 59㎡ apartment suite. Once again, the generated substances surpassed set safety limits.
Fortunately, the experimenters found that airing out the space effectively cleared out the undesirable organic compounds.
A spokesperson for the KCA said, “It is advised that people do not directly breathe in the smoke generated from incense sticks and scented candles, and the use of these items in cramped and enclosed spaces should be avoided.”
S.B.W. (sbw266@koreabizwire.com)
