Posted on 12/18/2011 8:09:50 PM PST by DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis
Christmas trees could be to blame for a range of health complaints over the festive season, according to new research.
Don't be too quick to judge those who feel under the weather over the festive period – rather than seasonal overindulgence, it could be their Christmas tree making them ill.
The traditional centrepiece decoration has been blamed for triggering a range of health complaints, from wheezing and coughing to lethargy and insomnia.
The condition – "Christmas Tree Syndrome" – is caused by mould growing on the trees, whose spores lead to problems when breathed in.
It has been discovered by scientists from Upstate Medical University, part of the State University of New York, who carried out research after observing a peak in respiratory illnesses in the weeks either side of December 25.
The team analysed clippings from 28 Christmas trees including needles and bark, from a range of species, and found 53 cases of mould.
Of these, 70 per cent can cause symptoms including itchy noses, watery eyes, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pains, sinus congestion, feelings of fatigue and problems sleeping.
Some of the mould identified can even lead to long term lung problems and conditions such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
The mould occurs on the trees naturally, but thrives in the warm conditions of a well-heated home at Christmas.
The team, writing in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, also reported another study which found that after a Christmas tree has been on display for a fortnight, the number of airborne mould spores increases from 800 per 35 cubic feet to 5,000.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
There are way too many people on this planet with way too much spare time on their hands.
/johnny
You mean the ones who figure this stuff out or the ones who put a tree in their living room and put sparkly knick-knacks on it?
what happens if you mix treez and catz?
/johnny
You get tratz.
What if you feel lousy five days before getting the tree?
Seriously though, I’ve had a run in with some of these molds they’re talking about, and they are nasty.
More junk agenda science.
Merry Christmas
I hate fake trees. I see a whole lot more of those than the real thing.
Heh heh :-)
More likely.....SUGAR!....tis the Season for sweets.
Leftists are truly pathetic.
Mould not mold. Indubitably and quite so!
Whats junky about it? It was an interesting article and study.
Bashing Christmas as usual. I am sure those scientists would love to see Christmas trees banned along with the holiday. How did anyone survive all those years w/Christmas trees in their houses?
Merry Christmas
I don’t think it’s agenda-driven. Mold is a nasty substance and a common allergen. It can really affect people with asthma and allergies, which means millions of us.
When I was a kid, having a live tree in the house used to make me and my brother incredibly sick for about three weeks. The minute the tree went out of the house, we got better. Finally our parents gave up and got a fake tree, which we all hated. Today medications and treatments are better so I can tolerate the live tree, but I’m still a little wheezy and my kids get runny noses (nothing Claritin can’t fix). We think it’s worth it, but for people with more serious allergies, it would be a problem.
Being a Christmas Tree grower I find the “find” could have some validity to it, but not from the mould. Some growers use deadly poisons in treating the trees for disease. I’ve been growing trees for twenty seven years and have never used anything higher than the ordinary common garden spray. I’ve often wondered if some of the poisons used by the larger growers would effect people once the tree is put inside with the higher temps from heating the house?
How is that bashing Christmas? Besides, for most of my life, I have had an artificial tree, and Christmas was still Christmas for me.
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