‘Tis the season to be environmentally-friendly? The Ecology Center, a non-profit organization based in Michigan, U.S., has raised this question after finding that popular retailers of holiday decor continue to sell decorations containing hazardous chemicals.
Researchers discovered that two-thirds of these products, including tinsel garlands, artificial wreaths, stockings, gift bags and figurines, contain one or more dangerous chemicals linked to serious health threats, like asthma, birth defects, learning disabilities and cancer.
Consequently, these toxins, such as lead and bromine, can be released into the air, dust or onto the skin when handling products.
For the study, researchers tested 69 holiday products purchased at different stores from Walmart and Target to Walgreens and Lowe’s, in an effort to update previous research in 2012 and 2013 by HealthyStuff.org, a project based out of The Ecology Center.
“We’ve been testing and finding similar problems with these products since 2012. Most retailers have been slow to react and continue to sell these products,” said Jeff Gearhart, the Ecology Center’s principal researcher.
Thirteen percent of the 2014 holiday products contained lead above 100 parts per million (ppm). Twelve per cent of these products contained more than 800 ppm bromine, indicating an occurrence of brominated flame retardants. Lights, including those fastened to decorations, also showed high levels of both these toxins.
In a 2013 study of beaded garlands, HealthyStuff.org found myriad contaminants and this year proved no different.
The Mind the Store Campaign continues to rally for big retailers across the U.S. to work with suppliers in developing products with safer chemicals.
“Parents shouldn’t have to worry that their holiday decorations may contain toxic chemicals,” said Mike Schade, Mind the Store campaign director for Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. “Big retailers should get these hidden hazards out of holiday decorations, once and for all. Parents expect their favorite retailers to mind the store.”
The full test results are available at HealthyStuff.org
