Christmas decorations filled with toxic chemicals, study finds

What could be worse that getting a bag of coal for Christmas? 

A bag full of toxic chemicals, health groups say.

A new report from HealthyStuff.org finds toxic chemicals in many of the popular Christmas decorations like Santa Clause hats, Christmas lights, stockings, and wreaths that were tested.

“Parents shouldn’t have to worry that their holiday decorations may contain toxic chemicals,” said Mike Schade, campaign director for Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. “Big retailers should get these hidden hazards out of holiday decorations once and for all.”

HealthyStuff.org tested 69 Christmas decorations found at popular retail stores.

Two-thirds of the products tested contained at least some traces of hazardous chemicals that researchers say have been linked to asthma, birth defects, learning disabilities, and cancer.

“Most retailers have been slow to react and continue to sell these products,” said Jeff Gearhart, the researcher who led the HealthyStuff.org study. 

HealthyStuff.org commonly tests retail products for hazardous chemicals. In October, it published a study on popular Halloween products, and in March, it published another study on college basketball items.