Hazardous Chemicals Found in Holiday Lights and Garland

A new research study finds that top retailers of holiday decor continue to sell some seasonal decorations and other products that contain hazardous chemicals. Researchers found that 2/3 of these products have one or more hazardous chemicals that have been linked to serious health threats.

The study is an update to previous research in 2012 and 2013 by HealthyStuff.org, which found high levels of level chemical hazards in light strings, holiday garland and other decor products. Products were purchased and tested from major chain store retailers, including Wal Mart, Lowes and Dollar Tree.

Thirteen percent of the 2014 holiday products contained lead above 100 parts per million (ppm); 12% of the products contained more than 800 ppm bromine, indicating the presence of brominated flame retardants.

Beaded garlands were found to contain a multitude of toxic contaminants, mirroring the results from the group’s 2013 study of beaded garlands. Light strings were also compared to an earlier study by HealthyStuff.org. The 2014 lights-including lights attached to decorations--commonly showed high levels of lead and bromine, as they did in a study 4 years ago.

So what can you do? First, keep small holiday ornaments out of your mouth. Always wash your hands after handling holiday lights.  And frequent vacuuming will help with the chemical dust.