Himalayan Salt Lamps Warnings and Dangers – Misconceptions Debunked (2023)

Himalayan Salt Lamps Warnings and Dangers – Misconceptions Debunked (1)Salt lamps have been in the market for quite a long time now. They aren’t exactly new products by any means. Although their designs and usage styles have been changing over the years, their benefits stay pretty much the same.

  • Salt Lamps are beautiful to look at from an aesthetic standpoint especially when turned on
  • Himalayan Salt Lamps can provide ease with many allergies like asthma, breathing problems and many others
  • Himalayan salt is a natural air purifier cleansing the air you breathe naturally
  • The natural ambiance and glow it provides cannot be replicated with other table lamps
  • These are also cheap and very affordable offering great benefits in return

Yet, there are many warnings and misconceptions looming around salt lamps made from Himalayan salt. However, when you dig a bit deep into the matter, the picture becomes a lot clearer. Most mistakes, warnings or risks with these lamps are more connected to the way they are manufactured.

Read below to find out how some of the risks and warnings are attributed to these salt lamps:

Possibility of Salt Lamps Catching Fire

Himalayan Salt Lamps Warnings and Dangers – Misconceptions Debunked (2)From the offset, the answer to salt lamps possibly catching fire questions is yes. As most things that deal with electricity can, so can salt lamps. These have a working and turned on lightbulb inside of them.

A proper electricity wire runs from your wall outlet into the lightbulb inside. When treated irresponsibly with not the right kinds of wires and materials, fire is a hazard that can come.

Home Décor Store Michaels in 2017, had to recall no less than 80,000 Lumière brand salt lamps from the market. The problem with these was in the manufacturing of their electricity circuits. The dimmer switches did not meet US Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) laws. These were thus deemed as potential fire hazards posing shock and burning up risks.

(Video) Himalayan Salt Lamps: Benefits and Myths

Reported and affected models of this situation included:

  • Rock of Gibraltar Lamp — UPC 00886946056253 — SKU 495144
  • Carnival of Lights — UPC 00886946058325 — SKU 495433
  • Basket of Rocks — UPC 00886946056277 — SKU 495146

Although there were no reported injuries that occurred before the recall, the company still had to go through the procedure. Important take from this whole debacle is that it was not the salt lamps that were prone to catching fire. Rather, it was the inner electrical circuit and boards used in them.

Yet, this natural salt lamp warning is important and reminds manufacturers what can go wrong. When buying, customers should also only consider lamps that are equipped with US certified wires and mechanisms. Dimmer switches need special attention if they are there on your selected lamps.

Warning of Lightbulb Being in Contact with the Salt Surface

Himalayan Salt Lamps Warnings and Dangers – Misconceptions Debunked (3)The natural shape of all salt lamps whether they are USB Salt Lamps or any other ones has lightbulbs glowing inside them. A piece of Himalayan salt surrounds the lightbulb fully. What should not happen is that lightbulb actually touching the rock salt surface.

When it does, moisture can drip onto the lightbulb fitting short-circuiting the whole thing once again. This can go back to fire hazard again but in most cases, the circuit simply dies off with the moisture. However, this warning should only apply to poorly made salt lamps.

American made Himalayan salt lamps and even most Pakistani made ones don’t suffer this problem. Chinese imported Himalayan salt also gets turned into lamps and are usually the source of such problems. Pakistani makers usually ensure completely hollowed out salt rocks with US approved cords.

(Video) Himalayan Salt Lamp – Buzz or Bust?

Also, a well-designed salt lamp with authentic materials and cords should last a really long time. Saving only a few bucks on ones that might be made from cheap materials is not recommended at all.

Toxic Warning for Himalayan Salt Lamps – Pets and Humans

Salt lamps made from Himalayan rock salt are natural air purifiers. These release negative ions in the air making it much more salty and heavier. Sticking with the dust particles in your rooms, these ions bring all the dust down.

People often think of them as potential toxic warnings after they see dust lying around on various surfaces. Their own surfaces can also look different and possibly toxic after a short period of usage. Although all that dust is already there in the room.

Other than that, a cleaned-out surface of a salt lamp can even be licked. Not that we recommend that at all. Even your pets or kids can lick it a few times only to leave them be with the too much salty taste. Afterall, it is just that similar salt you use in cooking all the time just unprocessed.

Thing to learn with these is that they are not toxic at all and only help purify the air. You need to dust off their surfaces and your room furniture and floors to keep everything perfect. Nothing toxic about them at all in any stretch of imagination.

Salt Lamp Warnings for Small Children

Himalayan Salt Lamps Warnings and Dangers – Misconceptions Debunked (4)Salt lamp opposers often come up with their warnings for small children. In actual fact, these can be quite large and heavy at times. And you do need them in hefty sizes and weights in order to have much purified air to breathe.

(Video) The Truth About Himalayan Sea Salt | Joe Rogan

Small children are known to knock and topple things over. Some naughty ones even commit the crime of pulling on their cords and wires. When done too much, their wires can eventually come out and be electricity hazards for small children. Also, their weight can be quite painful when falling on any body part of your children.

However, this is also no fault on part of the salt lamp themselves but in their usage. Naturally, you would want to keep anything that might be a hazard away from children. Placing your salt lamps too close to the ground or on levels they can easily reach becomes as much of a hazard as anything else.

In a home with kids, you are much better off using USB salt lamps or placing them at high levels. Shelves, high tables and other places that might be out of their reach will eliminate this warning.

Any Negative Effects and Warnings You Should Really Worry About?

Himalayan Salt Lamps Warnings and Dangers – Misconceptions Debunked (5)In its true application, Himalayan salt does release particles into the air that help with air purification. When you place them at the right risk-free positions and also clean them properly, they can be quite beneficial.

Ideally, you’d want to keep them switched on at all times. Since they are very low voltage lightbulbs inside, not much harm will come to your electricity bills. It would however stop toe bit of sweating that can occur on the surface of natural salt.

Some people also argue that salt lamps can be a cause of headaches and also migraines. However, their actual effect proven scientifically is the exact opposite. With no blue light coming of them, their gentle amber glow and also allergy cleaning abilities from the air help them fight headaches and migraines.

(Video) Do salt lamps attract spirits?

People with certain allergies like asthma and other breathing problems have reported much better times. When in presence of natural Himalayan salt lamps asthmatic patients have had to use their inhalers much less. Aside from your cat or child licking it too many times and having too much sodium intake, these are safe.

In fact, there have been no reports of negative effects with salt lamps of any kind. Himalayan rock salt converted into lamps are beautiful to look at and provide many benefits.

Himalayan Salt Lamps are Completely Safe

Himalayan Salt Lamps Warnings and Dangers – Misconceptions Debunked (6)Till yet, there have been no reported cases of any major harms caused by the lamps themselves. By having them placed right and cleaned every so often, you can enjoy their many benefits. There is actually no specific danger or warning with these.

All there is can be some safety issues that can be taken care of with responsible handling.

Best Case Scenario: You buy a natural salt lamp made from Himalayan salt and place it on your table or shelf. It cleans the air purifying it from many allergies. You sleep much easier and feel healthy while the lamp looks great in your setting.

Worst Case Scenario: You spend as little as $30 on a quality salt lamp. It doesn’t do any of its supposed functions and you feel the same as you did before. Still, you get a damn good-looking table or shelf lamp for your beautiful interiors. Everybody wins.

(Video) Is Himalayan Salt Toxic? Is It Any Better Than Regular Salt?

FAQs

Are salt lamps bogus? ›

And you shouldn't buy a Himalayan salt lamp to purify your air for one major reason: they're negative ionizers, and negative ionization is one of the most absurd air purification myths ever devised.

Do Himalayan salt lamps emit negative ions? ›

As a Himalayan pink salt lamp absorbs water and particles from the air, it also takes positive ions with them. Then, when the heated salt releases cleansed water vapor back into the air, it also expels negative ions which have the opposite effect on our airways – increasing cilial activity to keep your lungs clear.

Why are salt lamps fire hazards? ›

The most immediate known risk came from lamps with faulty dimmer switches, which were recalled because they could overheat and ignite. Another possible risk is related to the hefty weight of some lamps.

Why is Himalayan salt toxic? ›

More importantly, some samples of Himalayan pink salt have been found to contain potentially toxic elements like arsenic, mercury, and lead.

What are the cons of a salt lamp? ›

Leaking Water is a Problem

These salt lamps attract water, which is why these leak a lot. The negative ions play a large role in this. Apart from this, it can become a hazard for your living environment. Water and electricity do not really work well together and may cause some serious damage to your house or office.

Are salt lamps placebo? ›

Kogan told SheKnows it's possible the lamp provides a placebo effect. Essentially, a person believes the salt lamps will help, there's a psychological component to their issue, and thus the lamp does relieve some of their symptoms.

What are the benefits of keeping salt in bedroom? ›

Salt for absorbing negative energy

Sea salt is known to be a healer. Keep a bowl of sea salt in every corner of your house to absorb all the negative energy. Also, you could keep sea salt rocks in the corners of your home.

What does a salt lamp actually do? ›

When you light them, they give out a warm, reddish-pink glow. Sellers of these decorative pieces say they do more than light up a room. They claim the lamps can boost mood, improve sleep, ease allergies, help people with asthma breathe better, and clean the air, among other benefits.

How long do salt lamps last? ›

Q: How long do salt lamps last? A: Contrary to popular myth, salt lamps do not erode or melt or expire. They will continue to work for years as long as they are cleaned once in a while (see cleaning your salt lamp). However salt lamps bulbs expire every 1000 hours, 42 days of 24/7 use.

Why shouldnt you turn off a salt lamp? ›

It is recommended that you leave the lamp on continuously when someone is at home to get the maximum benefit from the lamp. A lamp that is NOT ON will absorb moisture and humidity from the surrounding air and will 'cry' (sweat), which is not good for the lamp or the bulb.

Is Himalayan glow salt lamp real? ›

Himalayan salt lamps aren't actually orange. They're made by placing a light bulb inside chunks of pink Himalayan salt, which gets its shade from minerals present in the salt. The light from the bulb inside gives the pink salt chunks a soothing orange hue that lightens the mood in any room.

Do salt lamps actually purify? ›

Salt lamps are not a proven method for air purification, but they can improve mood and make it easier to sleep. Salt lamps have not been adequately tested. But their potential to improve your mood and the comfort of a your home environment can make them beneficial for you and your family.

Videos

1. Himalayan Salt Lamps: Real or Fake and How I use them
(Rain Country)
2. 10 Common Himalayan Salt Lamp Problems || How To Fix Them
(GTC FBD Zaizaz Group Of Companies)
3. How 800 Million Pounds of Himalayan Salt Are Mined Each Year | Big Business | Business Insider
(Insider Business)
4. We Liquified a Himalayan Salt Lamp
(TKOR)
5. Himalayan Salt Lamp Leaking Water | What to do.
(MARCHIASMIND)
6. Negative Ion/Anti-5g Products Are Actually RADIOACTIVE
(The Thought Emporium)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tuan Roob DDS

Last Updated: 04/26/2023

Views: 5309

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tuan Roob DDS

Birthday: 1999-11-20

Address: Suite 592 642 Pfannerstill Island, South Keila, LA 74970-3076

Phone: +9617721773649

Job: Marketing Producer

Hobby: Skydiving, Flag Football, Knitting, Running, Lego building, Hunting, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Tuan Roob DDS, I am a friendly, good, energetic, faithful, fantastic, gentle, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.