Senator Carlucci Issues Consumer Alert for Artificial Christmas Trees

With Christmas right around the corner Senator Carlucci teamed up with Curti Landscaping to promote the purchase of real Christmas trees and issue a consumer alert about toxic artificial trees and decorations this holiday season.

The Senator stressed that it is important that the public is aware and equipped with the right tools to protect their families this holiday season.

A 2014 study focusing on decorations found that out of 69 seasonal holiday products including beaded and tinsel garlands, artificial wreaths and greenery, stockings, figurines and other tabletop decorations, and gift bags 13% contained lead at hazardous levels and 12% contained bromine.

Several studies have also illustrated that the 85 percent of artificial Christmas trees sold in the United States made in China contain PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastics, which is a material known to use harmful lead that can put children and pets in danger.

In 2008 the United States Environmental Protection Agency found that of the 50 million artificial trees in the United States, approximately 20 million were 9 or more years old, the point where dangerous lead contamination levels are reached.

Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) said, “Families should not have to worry about toxic chemicals poisoning their children during the holiday season. Retailers need to take these toxic decorations off the shelves to prevent more of our children from being affected. Until then, we must be aware of the potential for our holiday decorations to contain toxins.”

Some highlights from the 2014 study include:

• Walgreen’s retailed Santa Hanging Décor: 1,400 ppm bromine, 1,300 ppm chlorine, 290 ppm antimony.
• Lowe’s retailed Beaded Garland: 11,000 ppm bromine, 16,000 ppm chlorine, 600 ppm lead, 2,100 ppm antimony.
• Lowe’s retailed Silver Bells: 120,000 ppm chlorine, 370 ppm lead, 290 ppm antimony.
• Kroger retailed Red Bead Garland: 13,000 ppm bromine, 17,000 ppm chlorine, 140 ppm lead, 3,900 ppm antimony, 150 ppm tin.
• Kroger retailed Silver Jingle Bell Door Hanger: 150 ppm arsenic, 1,900 ppm chlorine, 170 ppm lead, 1,500 ppm tin.
• Walmart retailed Poinsettia Wreath: 900 ppm bromine, 6,500 ppm chlorine, 830 ppm lead, 230 ppm antimony.
• Target retailed Decorative Tree: 1,400 ppm chlorine and 2,100 ppm lead.
• Target retailed Holiday Swag Bundle: 2,400 ppm bromine, 24,700 ppm chlorine, 670 ppm antimony, 152 ppm tin.
• CVS retailed 18 foot Lighted Garland: 65,800 ppm bromine, 310,000 ppm chlorine, 170 ppm lead, 10,200 ppm antimony, 2,300 ppm tin.
• Dollar Tree retailed Decorative Bows: 426,000 ppm chlorine, 1,100 ppm tin.