Abstract
Methods/Materials
The concentrations of fine particulate matter below 2.5 microns (PM2.5) emitted from paraffin and soy candles were measured with a DustTrak aerosol monitor in a sealed bedroom. In each test a candle was measured every 15 seconds during burning for 45 minutes, then for another 45 minutes after extinguishing the candle. Eleven trials were completed for each of four types of tests -- paraffin candle, soy candle, match only, and control. A two-sample Z-test was deemed appropriate for statistical analysis, considering the many thousands of data points in this experiment.
Results
Candles made of paraffin wax emitted 50- to 60-fold higher concentrations of PM2.5 than candles made
of soy wax. The soy candles emitted only about twice as much PM2.5 as the matches alone.
Conclusions/Discussion
The amount of PM2.5 emitted by the paraffin candles was dramatically higher than the amount emitted by the soy candles. After prorating for time and applying a conversion factor, the final result reveals that burning a single paraffin wax candle caused concentrations of PM2.5 that exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM2.5 in outdoor air. It is reasonable to deduce that burning multiple paraffin candles could elevate the amount of fine particulate matter to very hazardous levels.
This project used a particulate counter to find that paraffin candles emitted over 50-fold higher levels of fine particulate matter than soy candles, and burning a single paraffin candle caused levels higher than outdoor air standards.
Science Fair Project done By Otana A. Jakpor