Are candle wicks made of lead?

Most wicks manufactured in the U.S. today are made from 100% cotton and contain no metal core. In the few cases where metal is used, it is typically a zinc core—considered safe for use in candles.

Although the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) determined in 1974 that lead-core wicks do not pose a health hazard, members of the National Candle Association voluntarily stopped using them. Today, National Candle Association members produce approximately 95% of all candles made in the United States.

While a small number of imported candles may still contain lead-core wicks, both the National Candle Association and the CPSC have taken significant steps to remove these products from store shelves. These efforts help ensure that candles available on the market use only safe wick materials.