The National Candle Association is calling on a South Carolina university to snuff out information on its website claiming that emissions from certain candles can be hazardous to human health.

At issue is a 2009 study by two South Carolina State University researchers finding that burning paraffin candles releases harmful chemicals that could contribute to poor indoor air quality. The university issued a news release about the study, which can still be found on its website: http://bit.ly/2nAJKKn

In a statement issued Tuesday, the candle association demanded the news release and other information about the study be removed from the university's website because the research was "erroneous, unsubstantiated and misleading." The group said the study was never published or subjected to peer review. It was instead presented at a scientific conference in 2009 without any follow up.

NCA's science consultant, John Heinze, tried contacting the lead author of the study—chemistry department faculty member Ruhullah Massoudi—to no avail, according to the statement. A letter requesting the study be removed was sent to the university president.

"It's clear from just the project title, ‘Soybean Candles for Healthy Life and Well Being,' that Professor Massoudi's research had a predetermined outcome," Heinze said. "Upon examining the research project description, it's apparent that Professor Massoudi predisposed that petroleum-based candles pose a health risk and that soy candles are better for health, which are completely unsubstantiated." http://bit.ly/2p1D9Zy

The university had not responded to the request as of Tuesday morning.

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