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Do you have a live Christmas tree at home? If so, you need to rethink your decision because live Christmas trees can harm your health. A new study published in the journal Indoor Environments has said that the fresh fragrance coming from a live Christmas tree is due to chemicals known as volatile organic compounds, and these may be harmful to one’s health if inhaled.
The study, led by experts at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), said a group of volatile organic compounds called monoterpenes, which are also present in air fresheners, candles, and other personal care products, is responsible for the fresh smell associated with Christmas trees. Conifers can affect outdoor air quality by releasing monoterpenes, but not much is known about the amount of monoterpenes released when a tree is cut down and used indoors.
How did researchers find out if live Christmas trees are harmful to health?
As part of the study, Dustin Poppendieck from NIST, along with his colleagues, tried to find answers to questions such as which chemicals are emitted by live Christmas trees in homes, the amount emitted, and whether they react with other compounds in indoor air to create new compounds. Therefore, the researchers took a common type of Christmas tree called Douglas fir, sealed it inside a chamber, measured the amount and type of volatile organic compounds it emitted over 17 days, and checked whether they reacted with other compounds to form new compounds.
Monoterpenes can react with ozone, which protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet rays emitted by the Sun. Chemical reactions with light can produce ozone at the ground level. When inhaled, ozone can cause symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. Ozone also forms new compounds by reacting with other chemicals in the air. Therefore, the experts wanted to find what happens when ozone reacts with the volatile organic compounds released by a Christmas tree.
They used a technique called proton-transfer reaction mass spectrometry to measure the volatile organic compounds emitted over 17 days. This technique can detect airborne organic compounds. As part of the experiment, the experts simulated a home environment, decorating the tree in a holiday lighting setup, and shining bright lights on it to simulate the day-night cycle. Every 12 hours, they turned off the lights and watered the tree every day. The tree was exposed to outside air at a rate typical for households. The researchers constantly measured chemicals in the indoor air.
What chemicals was the tree emitting?
The volatile organic compound most commonly emitted by the tree was monoterpene. The highest amount was emitted on the first day, and from the third day, the quantity started decreasing. Initially, the concentration of monoterpenes was nearly equal to that of a plug-in air freshener. However, the level quickly decreased by about 10 times its original amount, Poppendieck said, according to a statement released by NIST.
As many as 52 distinct types of monoterpenes were emitted. Upon injecting ozone into the chamber, the researchers found that the compound reacted with monoterpenes, forming compounds such as formaldehyde and other reactive chemicals.
Due to the introduction of ozone, monoterpene concentration decreased, and formaldehyde levels increased. The amount of formaldehyde produced was around one part per billion, which is small compared to formaldehyde concentrations in US houses, that range from 20 to 30 parts per billion.
Live Christmas trees must not be kept in houses where people sensitive to volatile organic compounds live, for the emitted particles may cause watery eyes and runny noses.
If newly cut trees are left outdoors or kept in a garage for three days before being brought to the house, emission strength will decrease over time.
People should also water their Christmas tree every day, for a dried-out tree can become a fire hazard at one’s home.
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