Recently I read that under Proposition 65 in California, artificial Christmas trees are required to carry a warning label. There is now consideration in New York State for consumer legislation to disclose a warning indicating a lead hazard in artificial Christmas trees made with PVC – polyvinyl chloride. Most of these trees are imported from China. Supposedly, touching the branches – or anything under the tree that might have accumulated some dust from the branches above – could contain lead and be a hazard, especially to children. The proposed Senate bill (S1644) in New York would require that a warning label be attached to any holiday decoration containing lead, and fines would be levied against stores that did not comply.
Toxic Christmas trees? Is nothing sacred? This ranks right up there with poisoned Halloween candy.
Apparently, you better be washing your hands after hanging up those ornaments and touching your fake tree. Worse, if you are going to vacuum under or around it, a HEPA filter in your vacuum is highly recommended lest lead particles get blown around everywhere.
Since these lapsing brain cells of mine (possibly caused by the little fake tree I had finally opted for over a live one these past two years) could no longer recall exactly where I saw this, I did a search and found a government site from 2004 stating this reality. And yet another site from 2002. And probably before then too. Where have I been? Has everybody known about this? And what has taken them so long? They have known about this for at least a decade and have allowed children to be potentially damaged by this? Is there some powerful trade lobby involved in allowing this to happen? I just don’t get it.
My small tree will be packed up and put away this weekend. When I go up into the attic to retrieve the box, I will then discover where it was made. I have little doubt that it is imported. And then…how do you safely dispose of such a thing? I imagine there is no safe way. And here I thought it was a great alternative to cutting down live trees and discarding them after a few days. That, and the convenience. It seemed to make sense at the time.
I am disheartened at the dishonestly. I am frightened about the state of our beautiful, polluted and poisoned world.
A reader (thank you Rachelle) had suggested keeping a small, live Norfolk pine in a pot year round and decorating it on the holidays. I think that solution is in my future.
daeja's view 
I believe in supporting my local Christmas Tree farm. They replant repeatedly, they use no pesticides, it supports the local economy, and trees absorb CO2. When you are done they become mulch to help new trees grow. Eco all around.
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Its great to always support local. Up until a couple of years ago, that was what we did.
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Tap water is toxic.
Food is toxic.
Everything is toxic in it’s own way.
I think that cutting down a live tree and watching it die in my livingroom is a waste. My tree has it’s own lights – all we do is snap it together and plug it in. We are not purchasing new light sets, we are not fighting for five hours about getting the tree straight in the stand and getting the lights untangled, and I am not vacuuming up pine needles in April.
No guilt.
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It’s sad because none of those things should be toxic.
I went into the attic for the box this evening and discovered it does say “Made in China”. Much like the lead paint that was sold and used on the walls of many pre-1972 houses, this is something that isn’t good around young children.
I discovered while writing this that there are American made artificial trees being advertised as lead-free and safe. I an leaning towards the pine in the pot idea for next year and just having it as another year-round house plant.
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It is just so sad what we have done to this planet. I think it’s a good idea to get a real tree (and to plant later). A Norfolk is good too. I’ve decorate small rosemary trees, but they’re not the huge tree’s we’re used too. Artificial are easier in ways and cheaper too. But as you noted, it can be very unhealthy.
Here’s to a 2012 that’s a little saner, eh? 🙂 Love your blog and hope you have a wonderful new year!
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Here’s to you, and yours, and all!
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