What are Phthalates?

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Phthalates (derived from phthalic acid) are chemical compounds that began being used in plastics as early as the 1920s, in order to replace the smelly plasticizer known as camphor. 

 

Phthalates allow long polyvinyl molecules to slide against each other. In other words, phthalates make plastics flexible, less brittle, and harder to destroy. Phthalates are commonly used in numerous industrial, household, and cosmetic products, such as cars, swimming pools, pharmaceutical supplies, food packaging, detergents, nail polish, shampoo, perfume, and hairspray, and... candles. 

 

Phthalates are often used in candles and other scented items to help the fragrance bond with the product in which it is being used. Their low volatility and heat resistance make phthalates great chemical additives for such products! Or, are they...

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As vegan candle makers, we are primarily concerned with the phthalates that are used in fragrances. There are three types of phtalates:  dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP). This is an important distinction because of the three, only DEP is still commonly used in fragrance. We’ve seen companies make claims of being “phthalate-free,” only to specify in the fine print they are free of dibutyl phthalates—a misleading statement since DBP is not typically used in fragrance to begin with.

Diethyl phthalates were used extensively in the fragrance industry in the past, primarily as solvents to dissolve the raw materials that go into fragrance formulations. Another common function is increasing the hot throw of a fragrance in soy wax. Not only are diethyl phthalates very effective at these jobs, they’re also widely available and inexpensive.

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Over the last decade or so, more and more research has been done on the effects of phthalates on human health.

Phthalates are strongly linked to premature delivery, low birth weight, childhood ADHD, conduct disorders, deficits in children's intellectual development, obesity, and are correlated with reproductive development defects, insulin resistance and diabetes.

 One study provides data, although not conclusive, linking phthalates to Human Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome.

In addition to their status as endocrine disruptors, phthalates are linked to increased risk of breast cancer, fertility issues, and other health problems. The research into the health risks of exposure to phthalates is ongoing, but it’s clear to us that if we can remove these risks from the equation entirely, we should.

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What we put into the air and our bodies is a big deal to us. 

 

We want you to have the assurance that when you burn our candles, you're burning only the best. You can breathe easy, knowing our 100% organic soy wax, phthalate free, wooden wick candles are natural and clean. Nothing but the best, from the best, for the the best. 

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