Artificial Christmas trees: how real are the lead exposure risks?* Blood lead levels as low as 2.5 micrograms per deciliter deciliter /dec·i·li·ter/ (dL) (des´i-le?ter) one tenth (10minus;1) of a liter; 100 milliliters. Deciliter (dL) 100 cubic centimeters (cc). Mentioned in: Hypercholesterolemia ([micro]g/dL) were recently found to be associated with reductions in cognitive performance in children. * Other studies have connected lead exposure with behavioral and emotional problems, such as aggressive or anxious behavior. * Lead may also affect the growth of children; decreases in height, head circumference, and chest circumference have been documented. * Thus, lead-containing products with even moderate potential to cause human exposure may have public health significance. * Products made of polyvinyl chloride polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic that is a polymer of vinyl chloride. Resins of polyvinyl chloride are hard, but with the addition of plasticizers a flexible, elastic plastic can be made. (PVC PVC: see polyvinyl chloride. PVC in full polyvinyl chloride Synthetic resin, an organic polymer made by treating vinyl chloride monomers with a peroxide. ) plastic often contain relatively large amounts of lead added as stabilizers. * In 1995, it was discovered that imported vinyl vinyl /vi·nyl/ (vi´nil) the univalent group CH2dbondCH—. vinyl chloride a vinyl group to which an atom of chlorine is attached; the monomer which polymerizes to polyvinyl chloride; it is toxic mini-blinds contained lead. * In 1997 it was found that high levels of lead accumulated ac·cu·mu·late v. ac·cu·mu·lat·ed, ac·cu·mu·lat·ing, ac·cu·mu·lates v.tr. To gather or pile up; amass. See Synonyms at gather. v.intr. To mount up; increase. on the surfaces of several commonly used children's products after exposure to sunlight. * These products included -- PVC raincoats, -- book bags, and -- beach bags. * Artificial Christmas trees Christmas tree Evergreen tree, usually decorated with lights and ornaments, to celebrate the Christmas season. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands as symbols of eternal life was common among the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. made of PVC have become very common in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . * An estimated 50 million households use them. * In nearly 20 million of these households, the trees are nine years old or older. * This study assessed the potential for lead exposure from these products. * The first phase of experimentation tested artificial Christmas trees in the laboratory for lead content in branches, lead transfer from hand contact, and lead dust levels under the tree. * The second phase used a field-testing survey of households with artificial Christmas trees. * PVC Christmas trees currently being manufactured were not found to represent more than a relatively small lead exposure hazard across the entire population of U.S. children. * Only one tree of each major brand was tested, however. * In contrast, two of the four older trees that were tested contained relatively high levels of lead in the PVC needles. * A significant fraction of older trees are probably exposing children and adults to enough lead to constitute a noteworthy public health issue. * It is probably appropriate to caution families -- to wash hands immediately after tree assembly and disassembly dis·as·sem·ble v. dis·as·sem·bled, dis·as·sem·bling, dis·as·sem·bles v.tr. To take apart: disassemble a toaster. v.intr. 1. and -- to limit the access of children to areas under trees. * Direct mouthing contact or frequent branch handling by young children appear to have considerably greater health significance. |
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