Christmas trees have long been a symbol of the season, meant to bring light and warmth into the home. But what if they bring along other, less cheerful things like mold, allergens or chemical vapors? It can make you look at that trusted holiday tradition in a little different light.
Artificial trees, first introduced in the 1930s, have now passed real trees in popularity, with about 77 percent of U.S. homes putting up a fake tree each year. If you’re one of them, read on to learn about the possible health risks that come with fake Christmas trees, with expert insights from Mike Schade at Toxic Free Future, Michael Sacenti from American Healthy Homes and Michael Church from Crawl Space Ninja.
What Happens To a Christmas Tree In Storage?
While in storage, Christmas trees can gather dust and debris, especially if stored uncovered. When stored in sunlight or in warm temperatures, the materials used to manufacture fake Christmas trees break down, leaving the needles faded or brittle. They can also become infested with bugs or mice during their months in storage.
Potential Health Risks
While fake Christmas trees can pose various indoor air quality issues, they are also made with chemical-based materials that can expose you and your loved ones to potential health risks.
Mold and mildew
If a fake Christmas tree is stored in a humid space, it can develop mold or mildew on its needles or branches. “All mold needs moisture, darkness and organic material to grow,” Sacenti says. While the tree itself isn’t organic, being made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), mold can grow on dust, pet hair or dander that collects while it’s on display. If the tree is then packed away in a dark, damp place, mold can easily grow during the months it’s in storage. “It’s the perfect growing environment,” Sacenti adds.
Mold and mildew can trigger sneezing, itchy eyes or wheezing in people with mold allergies, and they can be especially risky for anyone who is immunocompromised or has a lung condition.
Pest contamination
Bugs and vermin can move into trees while they’re in storage, especially in damp basements. “Pests like bugs, termites, arachnids, mice and snakes all love moist spaces,” Church says. Spiders are the most common, but carpet beetles will also feed on layers of dust or pet hair, leading to an infestation. So, give the tree a thorough cleaning before storing it to reduce this risk.
Mice will nest in a fake Christmas tree, even when stored correctly, as it’s a quiet, dark hiding place with plenty of nearby materials to build a nest.
Allergens
If a fake Christmas tree isn’t properly covered during storage, it can collect dust, pollen, pet dander and other debris throughout the off-season. When you bring it back into your home at Christmas, all of those particles get stirred up into the air and may trigger allergy symptoms in anyone who’s sensitive to them. Always store Christmas trees in sealed bags or containers.
Chemical exposure
Most Christmas trees are made of PVC, which Schade refers to as “the poison plastic” due to its use of hazardous chemicals, such as vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen, in its production. “PVC products also commonly contain toxic additives such as lead, cadmium, organotins and phthalates, which can migrate or leach out over time,” he says. Exposure to these chemicals has been associated with elevated risk of endocrine disruption, developmental delays and certain types of cancer.
What is Chemical Off-Gassing?
When new products made of PVC are exposed to air, they release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a process known as off-gassing. These chemical vapors can cause headaches and breathing discomfort in some individuals. Letting the tree air out outside for several days can help reduce exposure.
Fake Christmas trees are also treated with flame retardants, which also off-gas and settle into household dust. Exposure to flame retardants is associated with hormonal issues, developmental disruption and some cancers.
How To Properly Store a Christmas Tree
Remove all lights and ornaments, then disassemble the tree from the top down. Wipe each section down with a damp, microfiber cloth to remove any accumulated dust or pet fur before storage. Alternatively, take the tree outside and use a leaf blower on a low setting. Push the branches down against the trunk, then carefully place them inside a Christmas tree storage bag or large plastic tote with a lid. Store the tree sections in a cool, dry area away from sunlight for the duration of the off-season.
FAQ
How do I know when it’s time to replace my artificial tree?
Look for brittle or faded needles, broken branches or a loss of fullness to know when it’s time to replace your tree. Malfunctioning lights (on pre-lit trees) are another sign it’s time to replace a tree. Factors such as the tree’s original quality, storage conditions and usage will all determine its longevity.
Can I clean my fake tree?
It’s recommended to clean fake Christmas trees before storage to remove accumulated dust, pet fur, or dander that has gathered while on display. Use a damp, microfiber cloth to wipe down all surfaces, or use a leaf blower outdoors on a low setting.
About the Experts
- Michael Church is Founder and CEO of Crawl Space Ninja, a home service company specializing in crawl space management. He’s also host of the homeowner educational YouTube Channel, Crawl Space Ninja.
- Michael Sacenti owns American Healthy Homes. He has 10 years of experience in the mold remediation industry and 40 years of experience in real estate maintenance.
- Mike Schade is Senior Director of Programs and Strategy for Toxic Free Future, a non-profit committed to environmental health research and advocacy.
Sources
- The Center for Health, Environment & Justice Artificial Christmas Tree
- Environment International Human health risk associated with brominated flame-retardants (BFRs) (2015)
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Effects and Mechanisms of Phthalates’ Action on Reproductive Processes and Reproductive Health (2020)
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The post Are Your Seasonal Allergies Acting Up? Your Fake Christmas Tree May Be to Blame appeared first on Family Handyman.
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