First Advisor

Gwynn R. Johnson

Date of Award

Spring 6-13-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Environmental Engineering and University Honors

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Language

English

Subjects

Candles, VOCs, indoor air quality, consumer choice

Abstract

Outdoor air pollution has drastically improved for everyone since the passage of the clean air act. However, indoor air quality is not monitored or enforceable in the United States. Yet, the EPA estimates that people of developed nations spend approximately 90% of their time indoors. Candles, a common ambiance setting choice for many household consumers, have been well characterized as a source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs can have a wide variety of negative effects on human health. A benchtop and pilot scale study were used to characterize the difference in the accumulation and displacement of total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentrations from candles commercially available at different price points. The higher priced unscented candles produced lower steady state TVOC concentrations compared to lower priced unscented candles. Conversely, scented candles purchased at the higher price point accumulated volatile organic compounds at an order of magnitude higher than those of similar scent obtained at a lower cost. Batch studies using solid, room temperature wax for each candle revealed the higher priced scented candle average TVOC approached 15 ppm compared to ~1 ppm for the lower priced candles. Overall, unscented candles had the lowest accumulation of organic compounds when compared to scented candles of the same make. This suggests that the additives used to create fragrances contribute to the concentrations of VOCs impacting indoor air quality. This is one way that consumers’ choice and product labeling may serve to improve indoor air quality.

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