Candles are featured in catalogs and advertisements, often to depict other products in positive settings. Such candles would self-extinguish, thereby helping to address the fairly common problem caused by consumer carelessness. Health and environmental experts also have raised concerns about candles. The letter noted that in spite of a voluntary commitment by candle manufacturers not to use lead in wicks, independent testing revealed that the practice has continued. The Environmental Illness Society of Canada has issued a similar warning related not only to lead emissions but also to some 19 other toxic emissions from burning candles.
Technology appears to exist to lessen emissions.
TM Members of the National Candle Association are addressing some of these concerns through the ASTM F15.45 Candle Products Subcommittee.