Who is concerned about their artificial Christmas trees poisoning the household?

Question

The majority of artificial Christmas trees on the market are imported from China; there have been recent concerns about the amount of lead in the trees. Lead is used as a PVC stabilizer. Studies have shown that a significant amount of lead dust settles beneath the tree, especially as the tree ages.

I just purchased one and now I am concerned. If you air out the tree will that help?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I am not concerned. I don't imagine the percentage of lead in the dust is that great. I suppose if you put it outside and let the wind blow on it would help. Airing it out as such won't help, as the lead won't evaporate in the air. (and dust settles).
I usually put up a village.
I don't think that the lead in the dust would be a problem for you, but you might keep the cat away.
I still have a plastic green tree, and do use it some, but it may be so old that it doesn't have lead in it. Most of us grew up around lead paint and came out OK from that.
I got a foil tree...it is cool! (and color wheel)

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Thanks RB. I was concerned about my kitty. This is our first Christmas together and I am not sure how she is going to react to the tree. I found her nibbling on some house plants that moved and I just hope she is like my previous kitty who liked sitting under the tree but not biting the branches.

Answer 2

I've put up my artificial Christmas tree for the past 30 years, not counting the 20 years I lived at parents' house with their artificial tree. I think that this is one of the top 10 things that I really don't need to worry about right now.

Answer 3

Big bag of heroin

Answer 4

Heroin.

Answer 5

My family has used them for years & we've never had any concerns..

Honestly you shouldn't even be worrying about that

Answer 6

Easy solution:

Just buy a real tree.