Welcome to Dr. Mercola's cellular wisdom. Stay informed with quick, easy-to-listen

summaries of our latest articles, perfect for when you're on the go. No reading required. Subscribe

for free at Mercola.com for the latest health insights. Hello, and welcome to Dr. Mercola's

cellular wisdom. I'm Ethan Foster, here to guide today's discussion on a topic that

affects us all. The air inside our homes. Whether we realize it or not, our indoor environment

can be filled with invisible particles that may pose risks to our health. Today we'll be discussing

how everyday scented products like wax melts, candles, and air fresheners contribute to this

issue. Joining me is Ilara Sky. Ilar, it's great to have you here. Thank you, Ethan. I'm glad to be

part of this conversation. Indoor air quality might sound like a minor concern, but current research

shows it has a real impact on our respiratory health.

We're talking about tiny particles that can lodge deep into our lungs, often stemming from

products we use to make our homes smell good or appear fresher.

Let's begin by looking at scented wax melts. A product many people consider a safe option,

because they don't involve an open flame. The assumption is that

flame-free equals risk-free. But the data, particularly from new studies, tell a more complicated

story. According to research highlighted on Mercola.com, these wax melts release a group of chemicals

called terpenes. Elara, would you break that down for our listeners?

Sure. Turpines are naturally occurring compounds that give products their signature scents,

such as floral or citrus aromas. When you plug in a wax warmer and melt-scented wax,

those turpines escape into your indoor air. Now, the turpines themselves aren't necessarily the main problem.

The real concern appears when these turpines interact with ozone,

which is already present in low levels inside our homes.

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