A little romance; a flute of champagne, bubble bath, some candle light, perhaps—*not so fast*.

One of these key ingredients for an enjoyable evening could be toxic to your health. Think propane, methane, that kind of "stuff". Now consider inhaling it. Not so romantic, is it? Candles made with paraffin give off a variety of nasty chemcials.  Among these, is an ingredient called toluene. Toluene and has side effects that include: brain, liver, and kidney damage as well as hearing loss, drowsiness, reduced ability to concentrate, slowed reaction time, distorted perception of time and distance, confusion, weakness, fatigue, memory loss, delusions, and hallucinations—and these are just a few of the common symptoms.

Researchers are currently working on alternatives to toluene, by comparing other kinds of candle ingredients like beeswax or soybeans. But until then, the next time you’re looking for an enjoyable evening at home, read the ingredients on the candle before using, consider opening a window or using a fan, or better yet, just dim the lights!

For more information, we recommend an excellent piece by NPR.