If you’ve found yourself suffering with irritated eyes, skin or mood swings since setting up your fake Christmas tree, you might want to have a quick read of this… According to healthcare experts, fake trees that are more than seven years old can cause problems to your health – due to the chemicals and materials used to keep the tree in pristine condition. Speaking to Men’s Health, Glenn Harnett, M.D., and chief medical officer of American Family Care explained how most trees are made of PVC (a fire-resistant compound that can use metals like lead, tin, or barium as stabilizers): “PVC also releases gases known as volatile organic compounds, which are gases that can irritate the eyes, nose, and lungs.” While it might sound a little strange, professor of health sciences at Simon Fraser University Brian Lanphear adds that many trees may contain chemicals which were shown to lower the testosterone in lab animals during research. While Lamphear admits it’s hard to know exactly how these chemicals might react over the years, he warns: “Lead exposure is an established risk factor for hypertension, infertility, and in kids, a diminished IQ.” Want to protect yourself (just in case?) Harnett advises taking a fake tree out of the box and putting it outdoors when you first buy it: “The longer you’re able to let the tree air outside of your home, the better.” After seven years, Harnett also warns that PVC plastic begins to weaken, which means you could be exposed to more metals when this happens. While you’re probably safe enough with your new tree sitting in the corner, if it’s been a trusty favourite for a number of years, it might be time to look at upgrading in the January sales. Or opting for a real tree next year. (Yes, we’re a little obsessed with the smell of pine).