are christmas trees toxic

IKEA FEJKA Artificial Christmas Tree 4 feet 11 inches – Non Toxic Christmas Tree, Non Toxic Christmas Trees – IKEA FEJKA Artificial Christmas Tree 59 inches. They are a tropical tree so do best inside. Christmas tree decorations If your tree has been sprayed with fake snow, glitter, or any other decorative element, this can be poisonous to your bird. So, before buying a Christmas tree, make sure you find out if it was sprayed by any chemicals. That means you will have to keep the tree outside and care for it until you plant it around spring time. Sorry about that. Happy Holidays! They look similar to christmas trees, although I dont know how many decorations or lights you can put on them, especially when theyre still little. I got rid of the tree and both our symptoms never came back. For these trees, it is possible that they contain a lot of PVC and very little PE. Artificial Christmas tree can be harmful because it is made of toxic materials. Within a few days of getting the tree, I broke out in a full-body rash that required a 10-day run of prednisone. IKEA FEJKA Artificial Christmas Tree 4 ft 7 inches – – Non Toxic Christmas Tree, Non Toxic Christmas Trees – IKEA FEJKA Artificial Christmas Tree 4 ft 7 inches. we respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously, Non-Toxic Car Seat - Britax Advocate ClickTight Convertible Car Seat, Naturepedic No Compromise Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless Dual Firmness Organic Crib Mattress. With so much going on this time of year, it’s impossible to keep tabs on what comes in and out of the house and no one has time to hunt for the right information. Bettielli also sells deluxe Ez- Tree version which includes decorations. Christmas Tree Pine trees are toxic for cats, notes Petcha, because they may cause liver damage and can be fatal. Both live and artificial Christmas trees can be toxic. Your email address will not be published. “ Antinomy Trioxide, an inorganic compound, is what is used to make our products flame retardant.” Combining environmental health education and business consulting, she’s helped thousands of health professionals in over 25 countries around the world elevate their skillset, get better results for their clients, and become sought out leaders in the growing environmental health & detoxification field. These toxic chemicals are released from a product into the air. A Christmas tree is only mildly toxic, but it can present a health risk if it has been sprayed with a flame retardant chemical. Isabelle has been an entrepreneur for last 16 years in retail and educational industry. Christmas tree farms use toxic pesticides that harm humans, animals and plants. Most artificial Christmas trees are made of 100% PVC and some trees have combination of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE). I didn’t think it was the tree at first (it could have been something else), but then my cat, who was already dealing with GI inflammation and a gut issue developed asthma! LEARN ABOUT THE TOP 10 TOXINS THAT ARE UNDERMINING YOUR CLIENT'S HEALTH. (Up to 150 years in the wild). Since artificial tree is not a real tree, you don’t have to worry about recycling, disposing or planting it after use. These flame retardant chemicals can be inhaled or ingested by breathing in the air or touching the dust around the tree. No wonder you are feeling uncertain and overwhelmed. There are so many options. Hohiya Metal Ornament Display Tree – Non Toxic Christmas Tree, Non Toxic Christmas Tree – Hohiya Metal Ornament Display Tree. Polyethylene (PE) is safer plastic compared to the most dangerous PVC. Obviously, we’re not eating Christmas trees, and I don’t believe there have been any direct studies about pesticide residues on trees that we might be exposed to, but if we’re buying from conventional tree farms, we’re supporting the use of polluting pesticides. Find out how Christmas tree can be toxic and what non toxic Christmas tree is available. Luckily, you can purchase a Christmas tree potted so trees don’t have to be cut. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Table of Contents hide If you are looking for a holiday gift for a baby, check out my previous posting, ‘Non-Toxic Holiday Gift Guide – 30 Non-Toxic Gift Ideas For Babies‘. I’ll look into the ikea ones. Non Toxic Christmas Tree – Most Live and Artificial Christmas Trees are Toxic! “The fir tree oils can irritate your dog’s mouth and stomach and cause her to vomit or drool excessively. If you are looking for a more natural option or have chemical sensitivities, Ikea Christmas trees are a great non-toxic alternative. In addition, artificial Christmas trees often has flame retardant chemicals. Most live Christmas trees are sprayed with toxic pesticides and most artificial Christmas trees are made of harmful PVC material. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). I talked about the dangers of off-gassing in this post about mattresses, and, unfortunately, it seems to apply to Christmas trees as well. Therefore, I wanted her to experience Christmas festivities at home from Christmas trees, lights and decorations. PVC is the most toxic plastic and a major source of phthalates which are hormone-disrupting chemicals. Whether you celebrate the holidays with a tree or not, your clients or patients might, so being aware of the issues can be helpful! Lara Adler is an Environmental Toxins Expert & Educator and Certified Holistic Health Coach who teaches health professionals how to identify and eliminate the environmental chemical exposures that may be contributing to chronic health issues. You can also buy potted live Christmas trees. Hohiya Metal Ornament Display Tree is a Wrought Iron Christmas tree. There are over 100,000 acres devoted to Christmas tree farms in the Pacific Northwest alone, and tens of thousands of more acres in places like North Carolina, Alabama, and Michigan. While artificial trees are easier, less messy, and in the long-run, less expensive, they aren’t a good option from a toxic exposure perspective. Holiday season is coming up soon and I really want to get a Christmas tree in my home this year. I hope you enjoy my blog! 100% non-PVC Christmas trees will be the most non toxic option although 100% non-PVC doesn’t mean they are chemical free. Drifting Concepts Driftwood Christmas Tree is made from driftwood personally selected for quality from the freshwater shores of Lake Erie. Conventionally grown trees are sprayed with pesticides such as fungicides, insecticides, herbicides until trees are grown for 6-10 years before being cut or sold. If you don’t want to buy a Christmas tree, you can make a Christmas tree creatively. I have a dog and a young toddlers so I want to avoid live trees with pesticides or PVC artificial trees with fire retardant chemicals. Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Artificial Christmas Tree is made of 70% PE and 30% PVC. Bettinelli EZ-Tree is made of cardboard box. If you could find an organic live tree and do not mind going through a process of planting the tree after waiting till spring time, this will be the most non toxic option. The best artificial Christmas tree I have found is IKEA  FEJKA Christmas tree. Pine (Pinus spp.) Green Promise – Green promise lists organic Christmas tree farms by state. PVC is hard and rigid, so to make it soft, pliable, and moldable, softeners like lead and/or phthalates are added. There are different types of live Christmas trees such as noble fir, scotch pine, balsam fir, douglas fir, blue spruce, red cedar, etc. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the most widely used synthetic plastic and it contains dangerous chemical additives including phthalates, lead, cadmium, and/or organotins. Typical artificial Christmas trees are made of PVC plastic. Glyphosate is an active ingredient in Roundup, the most popular weedkiller or herbicide. Phthalates are especially harmful to young children. PVC is a type of plastic made of vinyl chloride that has been classified as “carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Christmas trees in general are non-toxic, BUT ask the person you're purchasing them from if the use antifreeze to keep them fresh. It’s all great providing feeling of Christmas festivities to my baby but am I bringing toxic chemicals to our home? If you wish to have a live tree, choose a fir or spruce. If you want to go for a live Christmas tree, the most non toxic option would be to get an organic live tree. Pesticides, fertilisers and tree preservers can leech out of the soil when the tree is watered which can pose a danger if the cat drinks the contaminated water. Ferret Fact Service looked at this claim and found it Mostly False. Real trees are a great alternative to plastic trees, which are often made of PCV, PEVA, or PET plastics, but they aren’t without issue. Toxic Christmas Trees. In this way, you won’t have to worry about buying a Christmas tree. Live Christmas tree can also contain pesticides residues. It is also much easier to bring it home from the store since it will be in the box. PET plastic is again still plastic but safer plastic than PVC. Vinyl chloride, the chemical used to make PVC, is a known human carcinogen, according to the World Health Organization. In this post, you are going to find answers to the question about what constitutes a non-toxic Christmas tree in today’s market. However, it is hard to find them. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The needles of many pine trees are toxic and may be dangerous, particularly to cattle and other livestock. Find Balsam Hill Most Realistic True Needle Christmas Trees. The U.S. farm-grown Christmas tree industry creates more than 100,000 jobs across all 50 states. In this post, I share with you how Christmas tree can be toxic and what non toxic Christmas trees are available. While it might be overkill to call live Christmas trees hazardous or harmful for your dog, it’s good to know the facts and be aware that there can be some health issues for certain dogs. You can also choose different types of styles such as fir, pine, spruce, flocked, tinsel, etc. Molds and fungus are a natural part of the ecosystem – when they are outside, naturally present on trees, they aren’t a problem. In addition, she is against animal testing and supports cruelty-free products. This tree is 4 ft 7 inches. I contacted balsamhill about fire retardants. Their trees are treated with fire retardants. Artificial Christmas trees also have reasons to be avoided. If you don’t want to get both a live or an artificial Christmas tree, you can go for a Christmas tree alternative. It could be harmful to cats and dogs if they drink the water. If the pet eats a lot, then the toxicity level increases. Ive also been looking into norfolk island pines. Christmas trees are considered to be mildly toxic. Also, some trees contain fire retardant chemicals. Live Christmas tree is typically freshly cut and is available for you to purchase at the stores, tree nursery or tree farms. In fact, Michigan is the third largest producer of Christmas trees. Cedars, pines, and firs are very mildly toxic. Without it, it will eventually die. However, it is not an organic tree so it could have pesticides. She also tries to provide organic and non-toxic living environment for her baby. It is classified as probably carcinogenic to humans by World Health Organization (WHO). Some newer artificial trees are made with PET plastic or PEVA, which are both slightly less concerning than PVC, but still not ideal. PVC is a major source of phthalates, one of the better known endocrine disrupting chemicals (they upset how hormones are made and distributed throughout our bodies). You can simply store it at your home and use it every time you need it for Christmas. Most artificial Christmas trees are treated with flame retardants. To keep each member of the family safe this holiday season, employ one of our top tips to keep Fido and Fifi from getting up to mischief this Christmas. However, they still contain PVC and will emit toxic chemicals. She also ended up on prednisone. Surprisingly, non toxic artificial Christmas tree I have found is from IKEA. How to Avoid Toxins in Christmas Trees After purchasing, take it outside and spray it down with water, allowing it to air dry. My baby is over 2 years old now and she is starting to understand the concept of Santa, Christmas gifts, trees and lights. Can an artificial tree be a good option for a non-toxic Christmas tree? But some of that benefit is offset by the fact that tree farms are heavy pesticide users – in particular atrazine, glyphosate, and chlorpyrifos – all highly toxic chemicals that are often contaminating waterways and even drinking water. Therefore, be sure to check if an artificial Christmas tree contains fire retardant chemicals. Are the pre-lit Christmas trees or artificial Christmas trees with lights safer than organic Christmas trees? The Daily Express published a story on 2 December about Christmas trees being potentially toxic to animals and children. However, there are some artificial Christmas trees that are made of safer plastic such as Polyethylene (PE). But for folks who ARE mold sensitive, or are dealing with mold-illness, I recommend skipping the tree! However, buying a Christmas tree is not that simple. … A regular focus of news articles is risk related to Christmas trees. Artificial trees are typically made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) which is extremely toxic and polluting to produce, can result in exposures to harmful chemicals when used, and are toxic to dispose of. Christmas trees such as firs, pines, and cedar are mildly poisonous Plants are a great addition to homes and offices, but it’s important to know whether your plants are dangerous to children, pets, or even adults. Hi! However, organic trees may be hard to find. BalsamHill Realistic Trees use mixture of True Needle (PE) and classic PVC needles. IKE FEJKA Articifial Christmas Tree is made of PET plastic, steel and polypropylene. This tree is 4 ft 11 inches. Most are able to tolerate severe growing conditions, including drought, harsh winds and poor soil. Several studies have found that ingredients other than glyphosate in Roundup are also toxic to human cells. Although I wasn’t able to find recent data on this, back in 2016 it was estimated that only 1% of trees sold were organic, which means finding organic trees isn’t easy! Update: This year, 2020, Ikea is offering a taller Christmas tree, 82.75″. I first became aware of the toxic nature of Christmas tree farming in 2011 when my friend Clara and I were farming in Polk County, in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. It takes 5-7 years for trees to mature enough to be sold, during which time they are hugely valuable from a carbon sequestration standpoint. It is also advised to plant a potted tree in the spring because it needs to experience dormancy. I can’t. But your concerns should not end here. It has no flame retardant chemicals. Although IKEA trees don’t appear full as PVC trees, it has safer materials than the most artificial trees out there. “Live Christmas trees are not toxic to any animal brushing past them,” Dr. Cunningham said. Christmas trees such as firs, pines and cedar can cause drooling in pets and vomiting in children. Most, if not all, fake Christmas trees are made from non-toxic plastics so if they are ingested they won’t present much harm. Westend61 / Getty Images. The most non toxic Christmas tree would be a potted organic live tree. Each one has different color, fragrance and branches. Christmas is a few days away and many of us have our homes decorated with trees, wreaths and Christmas plants. It comes with 6 tree sections, trunk, brass brads and washers, hanging loop, picture hook and nail and red ribbon tree topper. Toxic Chemicals in Artificial Christmas Trees. Most Christmas trees are made of toxic PVC material and have fire retardant chemicals. As I was researching for a Christmas tree, I realized how toxic a Christmas tree can be. is a huge genus of evergreen trees that vary widely in size and form. IKEA FEJKA Artificial Christmas Tree 7 ft 5 inches – Non Toxic Christmas Tree, Non Toxic Christmas Trees – IKEA FEJKA Artificial Christmas Tree 7 ft 5 inches. For the King of Christmas, on their website click on their chat message and it will tell you; yes, they are all treated with top notch flame retardants. Wear protective gloves while mounting and decorating the tree. Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox. Generally, these trees are only mildly toxic. affects dogs as well as people and causes an increase in allergy symptoms due to the various molds growing on the tree.. It's used to softens plastic (think soft pine needles), but has many known … Real trees are a great alternative to plastic trees, which are often made of PCV, PEVA, or PET plastics, but they aren’t without issue. The oils produced by some real Christmas trees are also mildly toxic if consumed, causing minor irritation to a pet's mouth and stomach. However, oils from fir trees can be mildly toxic and cause slight stomach problems and mouth irritations in … BalsamHill Stratford Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree, Balsam Hill Vermont White Spruce Premium Artificial Christmas Tree, Balsam Hill BH Balsam Fir Artificial Christmas Tree, Drifting Concepts Driftwood Christmas Tree, Non Toxic Christmas Decorations -How to Avoid Decorating Your Home With Toxic Chemicals’, Non-Toxic Holiday Gift For Mom – Gift Ideas For New Moms And All Moms, Non-Toxic Holiday Gift For Dad – Holiday Gift Ideas For Dads, Non-Toxic Holiday Gift Guide – 30 Non-Toxic Gift Ideas For Babies, Non-Toxic Holiday Gift Guide – Non-Toxic Holiday Gift Ideas For Toddlers, What Toxic Chemicals To Avoid In Laundry Detergent, Non Toxic Light Bulbs – Non Toxic LED Light Bulbs With Safe Blue Light Levels, How You Can Choose Non Toxic Engineered Hardwood Flooring, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvXcWPC7Q8w, Genetic Testing, DNA Testing – Genetic Testing Is More Affordable And Accessible To Us Than Ever, Black Friday And Cyber Monday Coupon Code – Organic Mattress Coupon Code, Non Toxic Dog Gifts – Non Toxic Christmas Gift Ideas For Dogs, Non Toxic Gifts For Preschoolers – Christmas Gifts For Preschool Girls, Indoor Garden – Grow Pesticide-Free, Organic Vegetables With OGarden Smart At Home. These toxins, if digested can be released can be dangerous. Some trees are usually sprayed with preserving agents and insecticide, which could be toxic. Looking for an organic tree in your area? Live Christmas tree can be also toxic to our pets at home. Now she is also a mom. We take a look at which Christmas plants are safe and which plants are toxic to cats. At least you can avoid the most toxic material, PVC by choosing other materials such as Polyethylene (PE). In 2019, over 26 million real Christmas trees were purchased, thirty-two percent coming from choose and cut-you-own farms. Balsam Hill carries Christmas trees with a PE or PE/PVC combination material. I assumed since you posted about them you didn’t know they were toxic. Christmas trees can be toxic Watch out for fallen Christmas tree needles which "are not digestible and can be mildly toxic depending upon your … Though eating pine needles or sap can cause some gastrointestinal distress at the worst; no, Christmas trees are not toxic to family pets. Artificial Christmas trees may contain a host of toxic contaminants, like lead. If you have a dog or a toddler like me, you probably wouldn’t want to expose them to toxic pesticides. However, if you plan to get a potted tree, it will eventually have to be planted outdoors since it won’t be able to live indoors for a long time. She is a mom entrepreneur who is always trying to find a better, easier way to run her business. You can still hang ornaments and decorate the Christmas tree in that way. If you are looking for a holiday gift for a mom, check out my next posting, ‘Non-Toxic Holiday Gift For Mom – Gift Ideas For New Moms And All Moms‘. The tree needles are not easily digested either; possibly causing GI irritation, vomiting, gastrointestinal obstruction or puncture. Even non-toxic Christmas trees still pose a risk to cats. Christmas Tree Decorations are a target for most cats. Non Toxic Christmas Tree – Balsam Hill Stratford Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree. Let’s take a look! If you are looking for non toxic Christmas decorations, check out my post, ‘Non Toxic Christmas Decorations -How to Avoid Decorating Your Home With Toxic Chemicals’. I don’t want to get a live Christmas tree that is freshly cut because not only I don’t believe in cutting down live trees but also don’t like the fact that live trees are sprayed with pesticides. Then we are exposed to phthalates by breathing in air that contains phthalates or touching/ ingesting the dust contaminated with phthalate particles. Some say Christmas trees are not toxic, some say they’ll kill the dog, some sites say Poinsettias are incredibly toxic while others say they’re safe. You can find some organic trees at below link. They are also often treated with flame retardant chemicals, which are endocrine-disrupting, and particularly harmful to the thyroid. That way you can have a year round christmas tree and one that will last forever. You can get three types of Christmas tree: live tree, artificial tree and Christmas tree alternatives. In addition to cancer concerns, PVC can contain harmful additives to impart certain characteristics on plastic and … This post contains affiliated links. Please read my disclosure page. Actually, experts say it won’t be good more than a week indoors. Artificial Christmas trees are artificial fir or pine manufactured to be used as a Christmas tree. BalsamHill Stratford Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree is  made of 84% PE and 16% PVC. I am Isabelle! Just got the last IKEA tree in stock! Out of nowhere! Last year I went to a local, no-spray Christmas tree farm to select and cut down my own tree. Read more about me here, Lara Adler, LLC: PMB 190 - 3519 NE 15th Ave, Portland OR, 97212. The majority of artificial trees are made using a not-so-great plastic called polyvinyl chloride (PVC). We'll never share your information, or spam you, ever! The resin, or sap, from pines and firs is toxic to cats. Required fields are marked *, Lara Adler is an Environmental Toxins Expert & Educator and Certified Holistic Health Coach who teaches health professionals how to identify and eliminate the environmental chemical exposures that may be contributing to chronic health issues. IKEA FEJKA Artificial Christmas Tree is made of PET plastic, steel and polypropylene. If you don’t want to get a live or an artificial Christmas tree, here are some alternative Christmas tree options. Find Balsam Hill Realistic True Needle and Classic PVC Combination Trees. Decoration is not included. It is usually made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). There are two points of concern with eating needles from live Christmas trees: Sharp needles from certain species of trees can actually puncture tissues after they are swallowed. Thank you for the info! And what about living Christmas trees? Christmas tree dangers to cats. . The fir tree oils can be irritating to the mouth and stomach, causing excessive drooling or vomiting. IKEA FEJKA Artificial Christmas tree is made of PET plastic, steel and polypropylene. Firs, spruce, pine trees, and cedars are the trees that are most often used as Christmas trees and as greenery for decorations.

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