Lead in xmas tree lights?

cmw&tdm

Maybe a paranoid question.

We just put up our tree and I noticed the warnings about the lead in the lights.  Does anyone know what effect lead would have in pgcy?  Is it safe to touch the lights but then wash your hands afterwards?  What would happen if you forgot to wash your hands and then put your hands in your mouth for some reason - would it cause birth defects? 

I'm also worried about DS b/c he's always touching the lights.  I try to wash his hands afterwards, but I'm sure there will be a slip up here and there.

nicolita14w

Hmmm, I am pretty paranoid as well but I can't imagine this would be a big deal or we'd hear about it all the time and our doctors would be warning us about it. I would also think that the lead is probably inside the bulbs, which are plastic, right? Call your doctor to ask if you are concerned, but I wouldn't stress too much about having possibly touched them already.

tina623

Last year when I was pregnant, dh strung the lights.  We had a "why risk it" attitude.  I found this  CNN article for you although it's dated last december. 

https://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/12/10/christmas.lights/index.html

nicolita14w

I found this article. Not sure if it will help.

 

https://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/lead-found-in-some-christmas-lights/20071210091609990001