Fake Christmas Tree = Cancer Causing?

[fernie]

Last year my wife and I purchased a really nice fake christmas tree from Costco, we put it up and all and it look gorgeous however, this year I realized I didn't notice this small "State of California.. blah blah.. chemical.. blah blah, known to cause cancer." warning notice on the box.

Now we have two little kids, two little kitties etc... and well, like anyone else I'm concerned if it's all the fake trees that are made from these materials and all have this ingredient and it's not totally proven? Or is it just this one?

Not sure whether to keep this or throw it out, cost us over $300 :confused:

[patrob]

Last year my wife and I purchased a really nice fake christmas tree from Costco, we put it up and all and it look gorgeous however, this year I realized I didn't notice this small "State of California.. blah blah.. chemical.. blah blah, known to cause cancer." warning notice on the box.

Now we have two little kids, two little kitties etc... and well, like anyone else I'm concerned if it's all the fake trees that are made from these materials and all have this ingredient and it's not totally proven? Or is it just this one?

Not sure whether to keep this or throw it out, cost us over $300 :confused:

Wow, never heard of such thing:| ... Well, if you are concerned & you still have your receipt, why not just take it back to Costco. Once you explain this to them, I am sure they will refund your money or give you credit.

Just found this interesting article...& it has to do with Artificial Trees containing too much lead.
http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=13556

[fernie]

Here's a video of another customer with the same problem as I.

VIDEO:

http://www.wisn.com/video/14724371/index.html?source=CNN

The wording is pretty close to what is on our box as well. I wonder if there is a fake christmas tree out there WITHOUT cancer causing agents.

[Q-Ball]

We have markers that say the same thing at work. But only in the state of California. Our joke was, its safe here unless your in California.

[fernie]

I've decided to go with this.

TREE
http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10303584&whse=BCCA&Ne=4000000&eCat=BCCA|89|4507&N=4009183&Mo=32&No=3&Nr=P_CatalogName:BCCA&cat=4507&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-CA&Sp=C&topnav=

TREE STAND
http://www.omegatreestand.com/purchase.html

[patrob]

I've decided to go with this.

TREE
http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10303584&whse=BCCA&Ne=4000000&eCat=BCCA|89|4507&N=4009183&Mo=32&No=3&Nr=P_CatalogName:BCCA&cat=4507&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-CA&Sp=C&topnav=

TREE STAND
http://www.omegatreestand.com/purchase.html

If you want a real tree, I would not be spending $110 on one:rolleyes: ...you can easily get one for $20-40 that looks as good, at places like HD, CT, etc.. And IMO, that stand doesn't look that good :lol: Too much plastic :D

I hope you do take the tree back to Costco for a full refund.

[Q-Ball]

I would never cut down a real tree, but thats just me. We actually use 3 small tree's for ours and it looks nice. And they are fake. We got them from superstore/loblaws.

[tkyoshi]

Last year my wife and I purchased a really nice fake christmas tree from Costco, we put it up and all and it look gorgeous however, this year I realized I didn't notice this small "State of California.. blah blah.. chemical.. blah blah, known to cause cancer." warning notice on the box.

Now we have two little kids, two little kitties etc... and well, like anyone else I'm concerned if it's all the fake trees that are made from these materials and all have this ingredient and it's not totally proven? Or is it just this one?

Not sure whether to keep this or throw it out, cost us over $300 :confused:

No it's perfectly safe it's just a silly State of California thing. Pretty much EVERYTHING sold in California will have that tag. Basically to make it easier for distribution they just printed it on every tree so they won't have to sort out a special California batch.

If you buy computer parts there they come with the same warning. Even wires will say "Contains Lead known to the state of California to cause Birth Defects" blah blah. Even in Disneyland, when you buy something like a stuffed animal, on the receipt it will say something like that. Also if you hit some department stores, it's not unusual to see the signs posted on the shelves to.

In the case of Cables they use Lead to make the cables more flexible, but the amount used is so tiny it isn't cause for concern. However they have to print the warning label for products produced for Sale in California by law.

[fernie]

I would never cut down a real tree, but thats just me. We actually use 3 small tree's for ours and it looks nice. And they are fake. We got them from superstore/loblaws.

"These trees are farm-grown as a renewable, sustainable agricultural crop, without harming the natural forests and are environmentally friendly."

[fernie]

No it's perfectly safe it's just a silly State of California thing. Pretty much EVERYTHING sold in California will have that tag. Basically to make it easier for distribution they just printed it on every tree so they won't have to sort out a special California batch.

If you buy computer parts there they come with the same warning. Even wires will say "Contains Lead known to the state of California to cause Birth Defects" blah blah. Even in Disneyland, when you buy something like a stuffed animal, on the receipt it will say something like that. Also if you hit some department stores, it's not unusual to see the signs posted on the shelves to.

In the case of Cables they use Lead to make the cables more flexible, but the amount used is so tiny it isn't cause for concern. However they have to print the warning label for products produced for Sale in California by law.


Hmm, I wasn't aware there were so many items affected and that this "silly" state of California affected pretty much all items that went to all of the US and Canada. I guess if the amount used isn't "cause for concern" they wouldn't sell it in the first place.

I may just cancel my Costco order then and use that fake tree after all. It is a stunner :D

[imie]

We have always used "real tree" as far as I can remember. Cutting down the trees that are grown for this purpose is better than, manufacturing plastics, and disposing them when they look tacky and ugly. It will take a long time for it to dicompose if ever.

Biodegradable is always better.

We buy them at every corner during christmas time and sometimes you get FREE at IKEA. watch for that deal.

[tkyoshi]

Hmm, I wasn't aware there were so many items affected and that this "silly" state of California affected pretty much all items that went to all of the US and Canada. I guess if the amount used isn't "cause for concern" they wouldn't sell it in the first place.

I may just cancel my Costco order then and use that fake tree after all. It is a stunner :D

Yeah it's called Preposition 65, and pretty much every product contains or was made with a chemical that can be harmful. But you are correct, the products meet all other standard safety standards so they should be safe. If it wasn't safe they shouldn't be on the shelves, and i'm sure Costco wouldn't risk their reputation selling shady products.

The generic notice is as follows:
WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

This one would probably scare you if you didn't know about Prep 65, on ceramic tableware you may have this label for Calfornia (The tableware all other safety standards and is FDA approved).
WARNING: Use of this tableware will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Even when you you buy a car in California it comes with an additional warning:

WARNING: Motor vehicles contain fuel, oils and fluids, battery posts, terminals and related accessories which contain lead and lead compounds and other chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm. These chemicals are found in vehicles, vehicle parts and accessories, both new and as replacements. When being serviced, these vehicles generate used oil, waste fluids, grease, fumes and particulates, all known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm.

[del2248]

Buying a real tree is much more environmentally friendly than buying an artificial tree

[patrob]

Well, we just came back from the Tree farm & cut our own 11ft. fresh tree for only $40:D You can smell it once you walk into the house...now I just have to dress it up - hopefully tonight:)

I guess it's the experience of cutting down your own tree, the wagon ride, kids playing in the snow that makes it worth it - plus the free hot chocolate was really good:cheesygri

[Bullseye]

The other issue with a fake tree is that it takes millions of years for it to biodegrade when it eventually gets put into the landfill. They are made with PVC, one of the worst plastics out there, environmentally-wise.

A real, local tree is the greenest option (besides no tree at all, of course), there is pretty much consensus on that amongst greenies.

[patriot]

Interesting, we've had both in the past and this year there was a story published about "pine tree mold" on cut trees. My wife decided to buy one of those prelit artificials. At least that's one less arguement over how to place the lights on the tree .... :lol:

Had any of you folks read that articule ?

[Bullseye]

Interesting, we've had both in the past and this year there was a story published about "pine tree mold" on cut trees. My wife decided to buy one of those prelit artificials. At least that's one less arguement over how to place the lights on the tree .... :lol:

Had any of you folks read that articule ?

The reality is that there's mold everywhere, it's impossible to avoid. The vast majority is harmless, it's the black mold that can grow on wet building materials that you need to worry about. Only people with other environmental allergies would be susceptible to the mold spores from evergreens. If you've had a real tree in past with no issues, then you're likely not affected by it, and it presents no health hazard to you.