If you’re adorning and having fun with your Christmas tree, the very last thing you is perhaps considering is “Gosh, is that this tree poisonous?” Sadly, it’s a factor, and it seems that discovering a really non-toxic Christmas tree is extra difficult than you suppose.
It’s sadly not so simple as “actual Christmas timber are finest” or “faux Christmas timber are dangerous.” There are execs and cons to each, however fortunately, information is energy and after studying this put up you’ll be empowered to make a more healthy Christmas tree alternative for you and your loved ones.
Rising up, we by no means had an actual Christmas tree in our house, My mother had a extreme allergy to actual timber, in order that choice was out. I at all times dreamed of going to a Christmas tree farm to select the right tree, however alas, we by no means did.
When visiting buddy’s homes that had actual timber, I seen that they bothered me as effectively, so once I had a spot of my very own, a synthetic tree it was.
For the reason that faux tree didn’t make me really feel dangerous, I assumed it was wholesome alternative for me.
Nonetheless, I’ve since discovered that that wasn’t essentially the case in any respect. Sadly, our synthetic timber (we’ve had a number of through the years) might need been simply as dangerous for me as the actual tree that I used to be allergic too. I simply didn’t realize it.
Although our Christmas tree wasn’t making me sneeze uncontrollably, there have been probably different risks lurking.
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Toxins In Reside Christmas Bushes
You may suppose that an actual tree is one of the best pure, clear and wholesome residing approach to go. I imply, pure is at all times the best way to go, proper?
Not essentially. There are potential and really actual toxins even in probably the most pristine of Christmas tree.
Pesticides and Herbicides
Except you’re shopping for an natural Christmas tree, the tree that you just buy will most definitely have pesticide and herbicide residue on it. You may not have considered this, however Christmas timber are recognized to be sprayed with glyphosate and bifentrhin and a number of different chemical substances. Glyphosate is often considered being an issue with wheat, however alas, the lowly Christmas tree is a sufferer of this poisonous spray as effectively.
A few of these pesticides even are contaminated with PFAS, a “eternally chemical” ‘that’s been getting loads of consideration these days as a result of its long run detrimental results on people and the surroundings (supply).
Mould
Reside Christmas timber can harbor mould and in consequence, mycotoxins, that are a giant drawback for lots of people. Christmas timber are usually harvested weeks earlier than they’re offered, and sit in containers of water to maintain them alive, resulting in mould development the place the trunk is in water. Research have proven that the longer the tree is within the house, the extra mould spores there are and that, in actual fact, they begin to multiply rapidly after lower than every week (supply).
Mud
Let’s face it. Our world is soiled. There are toxins in rainwater and within the air we breathe. So relying on the place your tree grew, it may have all types of residue on it from rain water, vehicles passing by, and extra. And as if that wasn’t sufficient, mould lives on mud.
Mud is made up of particles of all kinds of issues together with human pores and skin, hair, clothes particles, and extra. It’s stuffed with meals for mould, so when you have mud, you even have extra mould. Not a enjoyable reality, but it surely’s true.
As well as, mud mites could cause allergic reactions too. A not so enjoyable reality is that it’s the mud mite feces (I do know, it’s gross) that individuals are allergic to, not the mites themselves.
Both method, mud can are available in on the tree from being saved, however can be in your ornaments.
Terpenes
Whereas the American School of Allergy and Immunology says that allergic reactions to Christmas timber are uncommon (supply), the timber do have terpenes that some individuals will be delicate or allergic to. These could cause a response if they’re smelled or touched.
Easy methods to Scale back Poisonous Publicity from a Actual Christmas Tree
- Purchase an Natural Tree
- Spray your tree with water earlier than bringing it inside (letting it dry as a lot as doable first). It will solely work in a local weather that isn’t very chilly, except there’s a sheltered place for drying. Some tree farms provide washing companies, which is a good assist.
- Use an Air Air purifier. In fact you must have an air air purifier always, however you undoubtedly need one when you could have a life tree in your house. Aspect notice, I’m an Austin Air seller. In case you’d like an awesome low cost on one among these purifiers, simply remark under or electronic mail me at adrienne at wholenewmom dot com.
- Clear Your Dwelling: vacuum and mud usually when you could have a stay Christmas tree in your house.
- Restrict the time your tree is in your own home by shopping for your tree as late within the season as you may and eradicating the tree from your property as quickly as doable. It’s been proven that mould spore depend expands exponentially after the primary 4 to 5 days.(supply).
- Restrict bodily contact with the tree.
- Wash your palms after touching the tree.
- Spray the tree with HOCl earlier than inserting ornaments on it. HOCl is stronger than bleach and addresses mould.
Toxins In Synthetic Christmas Bushes
In case you’re like me, and also you’re allergic to actual Christmas timber, you is perhaps considering that a synthetic tree is the reply to your Christmas tree well being considerations.
Not so quick.
You’ll usually see warning labels on synthetic timber and lights telling you to scrub your palms after touching them and lead is the principle purpose why, however there are numerous different issues lurking in faux Christmas timber to be involved about.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Like many shopper merchandise today, many synthetic Christmas timber are fabricated from PVC (polyvinyl chloride). One would suppose that PVC is fairly benign, but it surely’s not and right here’s why.
Releases Poisonous Gases
PVC is usually handled with plasticizers to make it extra versatile. The commonest plasticizer is phthalates, which I touched on on this put up about synthetic fragrances. Phthalates shed or leach from the merchandise they’re utilized in, both within the type of gases or mud. As endocrine disruptors, they’re linked to diabetes, reproductive problems, weight problems, thyroid points, and extra. They’ve even been linked to autism, ADHD, and cognitive points in youngsters (supply, supply, supply).
Supply of Lead
PVC will be handled with lead as a stabilizer. This was extra the case prior to now, however individuals have a tendency to purchase a synthetic tree and maintain it for a few years or for all times, so when you have a faux tree in your house, it’s probably that it has lead in it.
This lead sheds off the PVC within the type of mud that finally ends up on the surfaces of your property.
Lead is a big well being concern. It bioaccumulates and is linked with all types of well being issues together with cardiovascular, reproductive, kidney, mind, and extra. Like all toxins, lead publicity is extra of a priority for youngsters as a result of their smaller measurement and may even trigger everlasting harm.
In 2001, it was estimated that about 50 million houses within the U.S. had a synthetic tree in them. Whereas this examine did conclude that publicity to guide from synthetic timber is probably going not that that prime, in some homes, this shedding can result in problematic poisonous exposures (supply).
Flame Retardants
Though PVC is already flame retardant and lots of timber at the moment are made with PVC, apparently flame retardants are nonetheless usually used on faux timber. The truth is, some corporations state that after 2-3 years you must take into account reapplying the poisonous chemical substances to your tree. In fact, one such supply is an organization promoting the flame retardants (supply).
Antimony Trioxide
Along with PVC, synthetic timber are additionally made out of polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, or a mix of both PE or PET and PVC. PE and PET timber are way more sturdy than PVC timber they usually’re additionally extra realistic-looking, but in addition are costlier.
The priority about PE and PET tree toxicity is that the principle catalyst for making these chemical substances is antimony trioxide. It’s a probable carcinogen and likewise a doable endocrine disruptor. Moreover, loads of antimony is launched into the surroundings when PE and PET are made.
Antimony bioaccumulates, and air contaminated with the chemical has been linked to many well being points. As such it’s now known as a “precedence pollutant” by the US’ EPA.
Manufacturing PE and PET manufacturing additionally ends in the manufacturing of 1-4 dioxane which is a probable carcinogen and is probably going a bioaccumulating environmental toxin as effectively.
Whereas that is all a priority, as soon as a PE or PET tree is in your house, the poisonous considerations are a lot lower than with a PVC tree. The rationale for that’s that antimony is especially launched way more at greater temperatures (50°C (about 122°F) and above. Other than the manufacturing environmental considerations, a PE or PET tree is a a lot better alternative on your house.
PFAS
PFAS is without doubt one of the new “eternally chemical substances” that’s been getting loads of consideration just lately. It’s been mentioned that synthetic Christmas timber are generally sprayed with chemical substances containing PFAS to make them last more by making them extra proof against warmth and light-weight. I haven’t been in a position to confirm this, nevertheless.
Mud
Synthetic Christmas timber are sometimes saved in attics and garages they usually can harbor tons of mould and mud in consequence, particularly if they’re saved with no container. All these little needles are harboring tons of mud they usually’re very arduous to scrub. Additionally, if the tree is saved in a heat attic at the hours of darkness, mould can actually fester.
Easy methods to Scale back Poisonous Publicity from an Synthetic Tree
- Purchase a Much less Poisonous Tree: Buying a tree with a better p.c of PE/PET than PVC is a better option.
- Outgas: Permit your new synthetic tree to outgas open air earlier than bringing it inside for the primary time. For a brand new tree – outgas open air earlier than organising.
- Restrict bodily contact with the tree.
- Wash Fingers: Wash your palms after adorning or in any other case touching the tree.
- Purify the Air: Use an air air purifier.
- Clear Your Dwelling: vacuum and mud usually when to handle any toxins which may have shed in your own home.
- Get a Smaller Tree: The smaller the tree, the much less poisonous will probably be. Under are 3 sizes of timber we at present have: giant, small and skinny, after which a small tabletop Christmas tree that was a marriage present. It’s about as small because it will get, however I nonetheless find it irresistible!
The place to Purchase Non-toxic Synthetic Christmas Bushes
There are a selection of timber with a mix of PVC and PE branches, with a lot of the blended PVC/PE timber having on the most 65% PE. Nonetheless, Balsam Hill and IKEA stand above the others by having no less than some timber with greater than 65% PE.
I’ll be checking with extra corporations sooner or later, however under is a few data on these timber.
In fact this data can change from yr to yr so it’s finest to achieve out to make it possible for the timber nonetheless meet these requirements.
Balsam Hill
Balsam Hill has quite a lot of timber with various quantities of PVC / PE in them.
Their “most practical” timber have 65 – 100% PE in order that’s the best way to go in the event you’d like a tree with the least quantity of PVC. Apparently the next timber are “utterly PE”, aside from PVC wrap on internal, decrease, high of the tree trunk for the looks of fullness, and that half is detachable.
The corporate advised me that their timber are coated with antimony trioxide flame retardant, however once more, that shouldn’t be a priority as talked about above. Apparently antimony trioxide isn’t flame retardant in and of itself, so I hope to observe up with the corporate about this. My guess is that they use a flame retardant that’s enhanced by antimony trioxide.
IKEA
IKEA doesn’t have many timber to select from, so that you usually tend to get what you’d like at Balsam Hill. Additionally notice that regardless of IKEA’s claims of their timber being non poisonous, it’s essential to learn the evaluations.
IKEA claims that the Vinterfint tree is produced from PET, however one evaluation states that the tree had an odd scent and that it shed a inexperienced shade onto palms when it was embellished. (Observe that the tree isn’t proven on their website proper now, so hopefully that can be again on-line sooner or later so you may see what I’m referencing.)
Extra Sources of Christmas Tree Toxins
Ornaments
You may not take into consideration this however your Christmas tree ornaments will be one other massive supply of poisons. Initially, they will harbor lead. Nonetheless, in the event you’re storing them in a cardboard field, mould is an element as effectively.
Cardboard is a good meals supply for mould. If you convey a cardboard decoration field in your house and take the entire ornaments out, you’re distributing the spores into your property. Although I’m not a fan of plastic storage normally, on this case an (( LINK! all-plastic storage container is a a lot better alternative.
Lights
Most Christmas tree lights have lead, however yow will discover some with out. In fact you’ll need to examine anytime it’s essential get new lights however right here’s a listing of lead-free choices.
Alternate options to Common Christmas Bushes
Another choice is to have a substitute for a Christmas tree like the next:
- Enhance an Out of doors Tree: We truly do that a bit bit with lights and a few large ornaments both on a tree or on a big bush!
- A Completely different Form of Potted Tree – having a tree that you know the way it was cultivated and handled generally is a lot much less poisonous than what you may be capable to discover close by so far as stay tree choices go.
- E book Tree – search “guide Christmas tree” on-line and also you’ll see this fascinating choice! Simply ensure that the books aren’t moldy!
- Picket Tree – yow will discover concepts for this on-line too.
Extra Wholesome Christmas-related Posts
These posts will help you could have a really more healthy Vacation season.
Wholesome Stocking Stuffers
Does “Xmas” Take Christ Out of Christmas?
Pure and Wholesome Home made Christmas Items
Wholesome Christmas Cookies
Gluten-free Christmas Cookies
What sort of Christmas tree do you could have?
