U.S. regulators vote to ban lead wick candles

By Julie Vallese
CNN Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Citing a health risk to children, U.S. federal regulators voted Tuesday to ban candles that contain lead in their wicks.

The ban, however, won't go into effect for months because the regulation itself must be written and reviewed.

The ban, which will apply to both domestic candles and imports, will replace a self-imposed ban by candle manufacturers in place since 1974. It could be in place by the end of the year. U.S. candle makers pointed to manufacturers abroad as the problem.

"A federal ban would allow us to fine companies that violate it and to work with Customs to stop lead-containing imported candles at the docks," said Ann Brown, chairwoman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. There are no regulations requiring labeling content of a candle.

While only a small percentage of candle wicks contain lead, those that do can release up to 20 percent of the lead into the air. The candles that are most likely have a lead-core wick are votives, pillars and tea lights or candles that produce puddles of wax.

Children under the age of six are most vulnerable to possible lead poisoning, which can damage the nervous system, cause brain damage or lower intelligence.

In CPSC tests, some candles emitted lead levels in excess of 2,200 micrograms per hour, five times the rate that could lead to elevated levels of lead in children. The government tests found that burning a candle with a lead wick four hours per day for 15 to 30 days could result in high lead levels in children's blood.

Approximately one in every 25 children under the age of 6 in the United States has elevated levels of lead -- roughly one million children, according to the commission. The greatest lead poisoning threat to children remains flaking lead based paint in older buildings, officials said. The commission has not had any confirmed cases of children suffering lead poisoning from a candle.

The agency warned parents to avoid burning candles near young children. Parents should discard any candle they suspect has a metal core.

Peter Lurie, deputy director of Public Citizen's health research group, said the CPSC action is "welcome and long overdue."

"Lead wicks are unnecessary in candles, and the industry has acted recklessly by continuing to manufacture them," Lurie added. "Now the agency should complete the notice and comment necessary to complete the rule making as rapidly as possible."

The National Candle Association, which represents 95 percent of U.S. candle makers, supports the ban. A spokeswoman said none of the association's 120 members manufacture candles with lead-core wicks. Executive Vice President Marianne McDermott said the industry thought the problem was solved until a couple of years ago when Australia tested candles from China and Taiwan and found lead. The Australians banned the candles.

"If they can enforce the ban against the imports, we are all for that," McDermott said of the commission. The association cited China and Taiwan as the primary offenders of the self-imposed ban.

Major leading retailers such as GAP, Michael stores, Pier 1 Imports, Wal-Mart, Winn Dixie, Ahold/USA -- the parent company of Stop & Shop, Giant, Tops and Peapod -- Blyth, Bullfrog Light Co., Atlanta Candle Factory, Mom's Kitchen Candles and Frank's Nursery & Crafts have all agreed not to sell candles with lead wicks.

According to the candle association, retail sales, excluding accessories, are projected at over $2.3 billion this year. Since the early 1990's, the industry has averaged a growth rate of 10 percent to 15 percent annually. In recent years, the growth has doubled.

The controversy over wicks with lead goes back decades.

The Health Research Group, a Washington-based public interest group, conducted a study identifying the possible health risk of candles with lead wicks. In 1973, it petitioned the CPSC to ban such candles, but the agency only committed itself to an investigation.

"Our initial research reveals that there is some lead given off by burning these candles," the commission said in 1973. "However, the amount of lead given off does not constitute an 'imminent hazard' and the commission will not immediately ban the candles."

In 1974, the candle industry imposed a voluntary ban to keep lead out of candles. An estimated 95 percent of all candle manufactures adhere to the ban.

In 1976, the commission warned consumers and religious groups that lead-core wicks may give off some levels of lead-based smoke, but concluded the health risk was not "unreasonable."

But, it added, "The additional lead may present a problem for persons exposed to other sources of lead poisoning, such as older housing with lead-based paint, or in urban neighborhoods with high concentrations of automobile exhaust." The commission began considering options, including the possible labeling requirement, so that all such candles can be identified as containing lead wicks.

On February 24, 2000, Public Citizen petitioned the CPSC again to ban lead-wicked candles and asked for a recall of all metal wicked candles. On December 13, 2000, CPSC staff members recommended that lead-wicked candles be banned.

Consumer group seeks ban on lead candle wicks
February 24, 2000
Don't blow off candle safety -- watch the wicks
February 1, 2000

CPSC Home Page
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National Candle Association
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Alliance To End Childhood Lead Poisoning

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