Halloween Things That Are Polluting Your Home

The legacy of the Celtic festival, Halloween, is just a few weeks away. The view of spooky little ghosts walking around and strings of cobwebs spread in every corner signifies the beginning of Halloween. 

Halloween is supposed to be safe and fun, especially for children. But, there are some Halloween items that, without realizing it, can cause danger. Check out the Halloween items below : 

Halloween Costumes 

Costumes are one of the best things that ever happened on Halloween. From scary monsters to cute little fairy, children love to dress up as they like during Halloween. Unfortunately, one study found that children’s costumes may contain harmful pollutants such as flame retardants and Phthalates. 

Children’s costumes contain flame retardants because of the Flammable Fabrics Act and also contain phthalates to make them soft and flexible. These chemicals have a negative effect on the immune system especially to children since their bodies are still developing, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. 

To make a safe choice, make sure that the children’s costumes are not made of plastics as well as “flame retardants”. Trying DIY costumes made out of old clothes can also be the best choice, too.  

Plastic Decorations 

The reactions of off-gassing can make plastic decorations even spookier than the spooky decorations themselves. A 2018 University of Plymouth study found that products made with black plastic can pose health dangers more than other plastic products. The reason is because black plastic products are made with recycled materials that can contain harmful chemicals (Turner, 2018). 

Instead of using plastic decorations, non-plastic decorations such as orange and red flowers, wreaths, colourful lights and paper or cloth banners can add the spooky atmosphere to your Halloween night.  

Pumpkins 

Who would have thought that pumpkins can bring pollutants to your home. Pumpkins that have been placed around the house for a long time can easily turn into nests for mold, bacteria and insects. Mold grows quickly in warm and damp environments. The spores from this mold can cause unpleasant respiratory symptoms in some people such as a runny nose, headaches, itchy or watery eyes, sneezing and skin rashes. So, if using pumpkins for decorations, make sure not to store it around the house for a long time.

Colourful Makeup 

Cheap makeup sets that you find in stores are very tempting to use because you know that you will never use them again. Unfortunately, the savings are probably not worth the health risks that can accompany these low-cost products. 

According to a 2016 report, there is mercury and arsenic found in children’s face paints which dangerously can cause major health hazards. So, to avoid undesirable things, it is best to stick around to products that have been dermatologist tested.  

Scented Candles 

Candles are that one perfect decoration to liven up the Halloween mood. Also, a jack-o’-lantern is not complete without a flickering light behind its eyes. Candles, especially scented candles, are one of the most popular products during Halloween season, but they may cause trouble in your house. 

According to a 2009 study, cheap decorative candles contain paraffin which can be harmful pollutants when burned. These pollutants, when inhaled, can cause health effects such as nausea and dizziness. It is recommended to use vegetable-based candles to avoid this problem. 

Conclusion 

Just because Halloween only happens once a year does not mean that you should forget about the most important thing, health. To prevent unwanted things, it is better to reduce using items that cause pollution.