Is a cast artificial Christmas tree dangerous? Why are artificial Christmas trees dangerous? Harm from synthetic clothing

People buy artificial Christmas trees for a number of reasons: allergies to tree pollen, ease of cleaning, the presence of a firefighter in the family who scares everyone with stories about fire-hazardous live spruce trees. But are artificial Christmas trees safe and harmless?

It's a difficult question. To begin to answer this, you need to understand what the tree is made of, which is usually a synthetic plastic called polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is also used to make pipes, children's toys, medical devices and interior decoration cars. American Christmas Tree Association - non-profit organization, which educates about live and artificial Christmas trees, says the material is “not dangerous” and “not harmful.” But many experts are willing to argue otherwise. Partly because PVC is a heat-resistant substance that can use metals such as lead, tin and barium as stabilizers. As a result, a 2004 study even found significant amounts of lead in artificial Christmas trees.

In addition, the gases emitted by PVC, known as volatile organic compounds, can cause irritation to the eyes, lungs and nasal mucosa.

Sometimes PVC may contain phthalates, which are known to disrupt the endocrine system.

But the main thing about this problem is that you never know what exactly your Christmas tree is made of. In addition, some of the potentially present substances may not have passed through laboratory research on their effect on the human body. AND hazardous substances may be considered harmless. Insufficient control over the production of artificial fir trees allows the possibility of other substances being included in their composition. chemical substances.

But is there any point in being afraid of the unobtrusive presence of not the most beneficial chemicals in the Christmas tree? Experts believe that contact with lead, even in small quantities, does not bode well for the reproductive system and blood pressure, and in children can lead to a decrease in IQ. By the way, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that there is no safe level of lead at all.

However, you can protect yourself. Items made from PVC highlight greatest number harmful gases upon first contact with air, so when purchasing a new artificial Christmas tree, give it a chance to “ventilate” by placing it outside for several hours or even days. The longer it stays outside, the less harm it will cause you.

And do not store it for the rest of your life - as it ages, PVC begins to emit harmful substances. Artificial Christmas trees should be replaced at least once every 9 years.

It's a difficult question. To begin to answer this, you need to understand what the tree is made of, which is usually a synthetic plastic called polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is also used to make pipes, children's toys, medical devices and car interiors. The American Christmas Tree Association, a nonprofit organization that promotes education about live and artificial trees, says the material is “not hazardous” and “not harmful.” But many experts are willing to argue otherwise. Partly because PVC is a heat-resistant substance that can use metals such as lead, tin and barium as stabilizers. As a result, a 2004 study even found significant amounts of lead in artificial Christmas trees.

In addition, the gases emitted by PVC, known as volatile organic compounds, can cause irritation to the eyes, lungs and nasal mucosa.

Sometimes PVC may contain phthalates, which are known to disrupt the endocrine system.

But the main thing about this problem is that you never know what exactly your Christmas tree is made of. In addition, some of the potentially present substances may not have been tested in laboratory for their effects on the human body. And dangerous substances can be recognized as harmless. Insufficient control over the production of artificial trees allows for the possibility of other chemicals entering their composition.

However, you can protect yourself. Items made from PVC emit the most harmful gases when first exposed to air, so when purchasing a new artificial tree, give it a chance to “air out” by placing it outside for several hours or even days. The longer it stays outside, the less harm it will cause you.

And don’t store it for the rest of your life - as it ages, PVC begins to release harmful substances again. Artificial Christmas trees should be replaced at least once every 9 years.

The harmful effects of synthetics on the body are much wider than is commonly believed. Impaired heat exchange is just the tip of the iceberg; problems with the skin and even the nervous system can arise. Compound
Clothing made from synthetic fabrics became a real breakthrough in the 20th century, taking away a large market share from natural fabrics. Such clothes have another significant plus - practicality in use. Synthetics, as a rule, do not wrinkle, are easier to care for and store, and are more durable compared to natural fabrics. Synthetic fibers are synthesized from petroleum, coal and natural products, recalls Tatyana Sysoeva, Ph.D. medical sciences, dermatovenerologist at the MEDSI Clinical Diagnostic Center.
They have been used in clothing production for more than 50 years; the most popular materials are: polyester, polyamide, acrylic, elastane, nylon.
Dangers
Sysoeva explains: synthetic fabrics in most cases do not allow the skin to breathe. As a result, air circulation is disrupted, thermoregulation suffers, and the person sweats more.
A favorable environment for the growth of bacteria is formed, especially in summer. This threatens with infectious skin lesions: folliculitis, pityriasis versicolor, inguinal epidermophytosis Tatyana SysoevaCandidate of Medical Sciences, dermatovenerologist of the MEDSI Clinical Diagnostic Center
Dermatocosmetologist, candidate of medical sciences Leila Roz also notes that synthetic clothing often causes allergic reactions - rash, redness, itching and irritation of the skin, especially in people with atopic dermatitis and other skin diseases. Due to intense sweating, it appears bad smell, which is difficult to “wash”.
Allergic reactions can also be caused by low-quality toxic paints, which are used in the production of cheap clothes. In addition, according to the head of the expert direction of NP Roskontrol, hygienist Andrei Mosov, some materials can release some toxic substances under clothing - monomers of synthetic fibers.
The physical properties of even the most modern synthetic materials, such as moisture absorption, breathability and electrostatic properties, are strikingly different from those of natural materials. This is why synthetic materials, especially as the first layer of clothing, are undesirableAndrey MosovHead of expert direction of NP Roskontrol, hygienist At the same time, according to Tatyana Sysoeva, due to the fact that synthetic fabric does not absorb moisture well, which means sweat does not evaporate and causes fabric to stick, increasing the time and area of contact with the skin, which increases the risk of developing dermatitis.
As Maya Belousova, a cosmetologist and dermatovenerologist at the multidisciplinary medical center “Clinic No. 1”, notes, a violation of thermoregulation may well lead to overheating of the body in the heat, up to and including heat stroke. In summer, tight synthetic clothing is a direct path to heat illness. Today, this is the name given to various health disorders due to overheating, including the well-known heatstroke, agrees with colleague Andrei Mosov.
Stress
Also, according to Mosov, a violation of the air-heat balance of a person who experiences discomfort all day long, worsens mood, causes stress, can cause many psychosomatic diseases and even lead to more serious problems with health.
You've probably noticed a crackling, tingling sparkle when you take off synthetic clothes - this is static electricity, which can also have a bad effect on the nerve endings of the skin, which leads to general irritability, fatigue and problems with sleep Leila Roz, Candidate of Medical Sciences, dermatocosmetologist
The expert also does not recommend sleeping on synthetic bedding; this, among other things, “increases the risk of attacks in patients with bronchial asthma and allergic reactions.
Compromise
Natural fabrics also have disadvantages: they are difficult to wash and iron, and they are less practical. However, today a fairly large volume of production is occupied by mixed fabrics containing natural and synthetic fibers simultaneously. Dermatocosmetologist Alena Chernookova believes that this allows you to combine the environmental friendliness and hygiene of natural fabrics with the practicality of synthetic ones, and there is nothing wrong with wearing such things. It is the properties of such fabrics that destroy the myth about the dangers of all synthetic clothing.
The optimal content of synthetics in clothing is from 5% to 15%. This amount will protect you from allergic reactions, infectious and fungal diseases Alena ChernookovaDermatocosmetologist
According to Leila Roz, it is always necessary to take into account that there is quality materials and their not very high quality analogues. For example, quality fabrics for good sportswear include breathable fibers, they have micro-holes that allow air to pass through to the surface of the skin and allow moisture to escape without letting it back in. In addition, in these clothes you will not get wet in the rain. The expert is also sure that it is quite possible to choose things from natural ingredients with the addition of synthetic materials, but in a ratio of no more than 50% synthetic fibers.
Not only the fabric, but also the design of clothing and other wardrobe items can be hazardous to health.

It's a difficult question. To begin to answer this, you need to understand what the tree is made of, which is usually a synthetic plastic called polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is also used to make pipes, children's toys, medical devices and car interiors. The American Christmas Tree Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to education about live and artificial trees, says the material is "not hazardous" and "not harmful." But many experts are willing to argue otherwise. Partly because PVC is a heat-resistant substance that can use metals such as lead, tin and barium as stabilizers. As a result, a 2004 study even found significant amounts of lead in artificial Christmas trees.

In addition, the gases emitted by PVC, known as volatile organic compounds, can cause irritation to the eyes, lungs and nasal mucosa.

Sometimes PVC may contain phthalates, which are known to disrupt the endocrine system.

And do not store it for the rest of your life - as it ages, PVC begins to release harmful substances again. Artificial Christmas trees should be replaced at least once every 9 years.

Unfortunately, this is a difficult question.

To begin to answer this, you need to understand what the tree is made of, which is usually a synthetic plastic called polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is also used to make pipes, children's toys, medical devices and car interiors. The American Christmas Tree Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to education about live and artificial trees, says the material is "not hazardous" and "not harmful." But many experts are willing to argue otherwise. Partly because PVC is a heat-resistant substance that can use metals such as lead, tin and barium as stabilizers. As a result, a 2004 study even found significant amounts of lead in artificial Christmas trees.

In addition, the gases emitted by PVC, known as volatile organic compounds, can cause irritation to the eyes, lungs and nasal mucosa.

Sometimes PVC may contain phthalates, which are known to disrupt the endocrine system.