Even though only only 9 of 185 candles were dangerous, thought this was important enough to pass along. (especially for those of us with children or grandchildren.) In today's(Feb. 25, 2000) AZ. Rupublic (Quoted entirely as printed) LEAD HAZARD ALLEGED FROM BURNING CANDLES Couples who light candles for a romantic dinner or because the power goes out, could put enough lead into the air to endanger small children, said a study released Thursday by a consumer advocacy group. Of 285 candles bought in the Washington area, the cotton wicks in 86 of them were stiffened with metal, and nine of those used high amounts of lead, the Public Citizen study said. The cotton wick of the candle is woven around a narrow stiffener, which can be metal or paper. When the candle burns, the metal melts and releases a residue into the air. Residue from lead in the wicks is dangerous, said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of the organization's health research group.