Does Soy Wax Release Toxins?

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of soy wax, examine concerns around its potential toxicity, and determine whether it poses health risks. Soy wax is a vegetable-based wax made from hydrogenated soybean oil. It is commonly used to make candles, skin care products, lip balms, and more. Compared to paraffin wax, soy wax is often touted as a more natural alternative. However, some claim that the hydrogenation process used to create soy wax, as well as the wax itself, may release toxins and pose health hazards. This article will explore the chemical composition of soy wax, how it is manufactured, toxicity concerns, any available studies, regulations around it, how it compares to other waxes, and tips for safe use.

Chemical Composition

Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil. The main components are stearic acid and other saturated and unsaturated fatty acids ¹. The exact chemical composition can vary between manufacturers, but a typical soy wax contains 50-55% stearic acid, 20-25% palmitic acid, 10-20% oleic acid, and 5-10% linoleic acid ².

In comparison, paraffin wax is a byproduct of petroleum refining and is primarily composed of straight-chain hydrocarbons. While soy wax contains fatty acids, paraffin wax contains no fatty acids and has a very simple chemical composition. The key difference chemically is that soy wax contains carbon chains with carboxyl groups, while paraffin wax contains only carbon and hydrogen.

Manufacturing Process

Soy wax is produced from hydrogenated soybean oil. Once the soybeans are harvested, they undergo an extraction process to obtain the raw soybean oil. The beans are first cleaned, cracked, de-hulled, and rolled into flakes. The flakes are then treated with hexane solvent to extract the oil content. Hexane is evaporated from the oil during this process. After extraction, the crude soybean oil goes through a degumming process to remove phospholipids and other impurities. It is then refined, bleached, and deodorized. The refined soybean oil is then hydrogenated by bubbling hydrogen gas through it in the presence of a nickel catalyst. This hydrogenation process converts some of the unsaturated fat into saturated fat, raising the melting point to create a solid wax. The level of hydrogenation determines the melting point, hardness, and opacity of the final soy wax product.¹

Toxicity Concerns

When soy candles are burned, they can release small amounts of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, toluene, and benzene into the air [1]. These chemicals are toxic at high concentrations. However, studies show that soy candles release significantly lower amounts compared to paraffin wax candles [2]. One study found soy candles emitted 82% less soot than paraffin candles [3].

The National Candle Association has created testing standards to limit toxic emissions from candles. Soy wax candle manufacturers can voluntarily submit their products for testing to ensure they fall below the maximum limits for chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde. Consumers should look for soy candles certified by the NCA to meet these standards.

Studies on Toxicity

There have been several scientific studies that have examined the toxicity of soy wax compared to other candle waxes like paraffin. One major study was conducted by Okmometric and published in 2020. It compared emissions from soy, paraffin, palm, and stearin candles (https://candles.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Summary-of-07-Okometric-study-on-candle-wax-emissions.pdf).

The researchers found that all candle types emitted some levels of concerning chemicals like dioxins and furans when burned. However, the levels from soy candles were very low and comparable to paraffin and other waxes. The study concluded that there were no significant toxicity differences between soy, paraffin, palm, and stearin candles.

Other studies have also found that soy wax does not appear to be any more toxic than other common candle waxes (https://www.happyflame.com.au/pages/why-not-soy-candles). While no candle wax is completely emission-free when burned, soy wax does not seem to pose increased health risks compared to alternatives.

Overall, current research suggests soy wax has similarly low toxicity levels to paraffin and other standard candle waxes. No strong evidence points to soy wax being dangerous or posing heightened health concerns.

Regulations

The FDA regulates candles and candle making in the United States. The FDA has issued guidance documents outlining requirements for candle ingredients and labeling (https://www.compliancegate.com/candle-regulations-united-states/).

While the FDA does not have official approvals for candle ingredients, their guidelines indicate that certain ingredients are prohibited or restricted. This includes ingredients known to produce toxins like lead, chemicals causing respiratory irritation, and known carcinogens (https://craftybase.com/blog/legal-requirements-for-selling-homemade-candles).

Candles must also meet labeling requirements covering manufacturer information, contents list, candle dimensions, and cautionary labeling. The FDA provides limits on allowable levels of certain toxins like lead in the wick (https://www.cpsc.gov/Regulations-Laws–Standards/Voluntary-Standards/Topics/Candles). Proper labeling and following ingredient guidelines helps ensure candle safety.

Comparisons to Other Waxes

When comparing soy wax to other common candle waxes like paraffin and beeswax, there are some key differences in toxicity levels. Paraffin wax, made from petroleum, has been associated with higher emissions of potential carcinogens like toluene and benzene when burned (https://candles.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Summary-of-07-Okometric-study-on-candle-wax-emissions.pdf). Beeswax also produces some toxic fumes when burned, like aldehydes, ketones, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Soy wax, on the other hand, is made from soybean oil and produces significantly fewer soot particles and toxic emissions.

Studies have shown soy wax candles release far lower levels of hazardous air pollutants compared to paraffin candles when burned (https://artisane-nyc.com/blogs/news/info-how-to-make-the-difference-between-toxic-candles-and-the-good-ones). The natural composition of soy wax, with no petroleum-derived ingredients, makes it a cleaner-burning and less hazardous option. Soy also has a lower melting point than paraffin, so it requires less frequent trimming of the wick which causes more soot. With its renewable plant-based origins and lower toxicity, soy wax has clear advantages over paraffin and beeswax when it comes to candle-making.

Safe Use Tips

Proper maintenance and ventilation are key for safely enjoying soy candles. Here are some tips:

Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent excess smoke and sooting. Allow melted wax to completely pool and solidify before relighting, which helps prevent tunneling. Avoid drafts and frequently blowing out the flame, which can cause tunnelling and uneven burning. Extinguish candles once there is 1⁄2 inch of wax remaining to prevent glass cracking from overheating (Lochtree).

Always burn soy candles in a well-ventilated area and avoid small enclosed spaces. Open a window or use a fan to circulate air. Never leave burning candles unattended. Place candles at least 12 inches from drafts to prevent rapid, uneven burning. Allow approximately 1 hour of burn time per inch of candle diameter. Properly ventilated soy candles that are trimmed and maintained should not produce much smoke (Wholesome Hub).

Future Outlook

The future outlook for soy wax is positive, with several key developments on the horizon.

In terms of manufacturing processes, research is underway to streamline production and make it more efficient. New technologies like automation, advanced filtration systems, and improved heating methods could lower costs and improve quality control.¹ Manufacturers are also exploring ways to make soy wax more customizable for different applications, like candle making or cosmetics.

There will likely be increased testing and regulations surrounding soy wax in the future. As the industry grows, standards will be implemented to ensure safety and consistency across different producers and products. The FDA may require additional toxicity testing for certain uses of soy wax, especially in food or cosmetics. Someorganizations are already working to establish voluntary safety certifications for soy wax.² Stricter labeling and manufacturing guidelines could be introduced as well.

Overall, these developments point towards a soy wax industry that is maturing and becoming more sophisticated. With the proper oversight and innovation, soy wax can continue growing as a safe, sustainable, and customized ingredient for candles, cosmetics, artisan foods, and more.

Conclusion

In summary, while soy wax does contain some potentially concerning compounds like hexanal, studies to date have not found strong evidence that soy wax releases toxins at levels that pose significant health risks. Soy wax appears to be a relatively safe candle wax option when used properly and with adequate ventilation. More research is still needed, but current evidence suggests soy wax does not have high toxicity risks compared to paraffin and other common candle waxes.

In conclusion, soy wax candles can be considered reasonably safe options for well-ventilated home use. Those concerned about potential toxins may want to limit exposure by keeping soy candles away from bedrooms and avoiding prolonged burning. But overall, soy wax seems to be a good choice of candle wax that balances performance, safety, and sustainability when used responsibly.