Amid twinkling lights, cosy gatherings and Christmas tunes, the festive season is in full swing for those who celebrate it. CHEM Trust believes that we should have protective laws that mean we don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals in our lives. However, the reality is that a range of harmful chemicals are still allowed in everyday products. So, we’ve put together this guide with some steps you can take to reduce your risk of exposure to harmful chemicals this Christmas.

Winter Outings

Heading out into the snow? Some waterproof coats have been treated with PFAS, which are highly persistent chemicals that can build up in our bodies. Choose coats marked PFAS (or PFC) free.

If you are taking a hot drink along with you, using a reusable cup made from glass or stainless steel is a good idea. Some reusable cups that are made from plastic or bamboo can contain harmful chemicals that can leach into your drink. 

The Great Christmas Feast!

Cooking up a Christmas feast? Whether you love or loathe Brussels sprouts, choose loose fruits and vegetables, as packaging may contain harmful chemicals that can migrate into food. If you can, buy organic food, which can reduce your exposure to pesticides used to grow food.

Some cookware and utensils may contain harmful chemicals. Avoid black plastic cooking utensils, which may contain harmful flame retardants from recycled electronic waste plastic. If you are using a non-stick pan, choose one labelled PFAS-free, or made from stainless steel or ceramic.

Store any leftovers in glass or stainless-steel containers and avoid reheating food in plastic, as this may allow harmful chemicals in the plastic to leach into your food. Instead, you can reheat food in the microwave in a glass container, or on the hob in a stainless-steel pan.

Gifts Galore: Toys and More!

Buying for little ones? Children are more vulnerable to the effects of harmful chemicals that may be found in toys, but there are ways to reduce the risk of buying toys containing these chemicals.

Firstly, always buy from reputable shops and online stores. If a toy is painted or treated with varnish or other coatings, ensure they are non-toxic, free from lead and designed for children. Avoid soft plastic toys, those that smell strongly of chemicals, and those that are heavily scented.

Cosmetics make great gifts for your loved ones, however some can contain harmful chemicals. Avoid ingredients such as parabens, triclosan, fragrances (aka perfume, or parfum) and PFAS which may be labelled as ‘PTFE’ or may have ‘fluoro’ in the name.

Fragrances and perfumes can be problematic because they may contain harmful chemicals, but there is no legal requirement for the chemical components of perfumes and fragrances to be included on cosmetics’ ingredient lists.

You can use apps such as Tox Fox in Germany, Clean Beauty in France and Impact Score Shopping in the UK to help identify products that may contain harmful chemicals.

The Christmas Clean-up

Whether you have guests coming over or are cleaning up after a Christmas feast, you will probably find yourself reaching for cleaning products at some point during the festive period. Unfortunately, some cleaning products contain harmful chemicals, for example, endocrine disruptors, that may impact your health.

One of the best ways to limit the number and amount of chemicals you are exposed to is to reduce the number of products you use and to use smaller amounts where possible. You can also avoid air fresheners and look for products with the EU Ecolabel. Read ingredient lists on products, and avoid ingredients such as fragrances, triclosan and triclocarban.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from CHEM Trust!

Even with these top tips, avoiding all exposure to harmful chemicals is nearly impossible. So, amid the hustle and bustle of the festive season, take a moment to relax. Pour yourself a glass of mulled wine and explore the work CHEM Trust is doing in the UK and EU to protect us and the environment from harmful chemicals!

During 2024, CHEM Trust will continue working hard to get legislation in place so that we don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals in our lives.

For useful tips on reducing your risk of exposure to harmful chemicals over the Christmas period, check out our series on Instagram.

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