# Why do Christmas tree lights have lead paint on them?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-christmas-tree-lights-have-lead-paint-on-them/215521
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 27, 2003, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-christmas-tree-lights-have-lead-paint-on-them/215521 "2003-11-27T03:57:27Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)
#### Post date: [November 27, 2003, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-christmas-tree-lights-have-lead-paint-on-them/215521/1 "2003-11-27T03:57:27Z")
I just noticed a warning on our (interior) Christmas tree lights, warning me that the State of California has determined that ingestion of lead is dangerous and that users should, after installing/touching these lights, thoroughly wash their hands.
Why is lead (paint?) used?
Are all Christmas tree light strands covered with lead paint?
---
### Author:  [@cankerist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cankerist)
#### Post date: [November 27, 2003, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-christmas-tree-lights-have-lead-paint-on-them/215521/2 "2003-11-27T04:25:55Z")
Tastes better than normal paint
---
### Author:  [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)
#### Post date: [November 27, 2003, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-christmas-tree-lights-have-lead-paint-on-them/215521/3 "2003-11-27T04:37:12Z")
It’s not paint, it’s the [insulation](http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/walmartlights.html):
> [@](#):
>
> It is our understanding that the manufacturers’ use of lead in these products is to improve the safety of the lights. We are told that the use of lead is required by Underwriters Laboratory, an organization that certifies the safety of lighting products in the United States. The amount of lead used is a tiny amount and does not exceed any applicable federal guidelines. Our holiday lights meet industry standards and are compliant with state and federal regulations governing their sale.
>
> However, the State of California requires a warning label on any product that contains lead in amounts that exceed California’s very low threshold for warning of the presence of lead. The warning doesn’t indicate that the product is illegal to sell. It only indicates that the product contains a substance, which California considers to be hazardous. At the present time, no other state requires a similar warning. To avoid separate packaging, many manufacturers place the Californian-required label on product they ship to other states.
---
### Author:  [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)
#### Post date: [November 27, 2003, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-christmas-tree-lights-have-lead-paint-on-them/215521/4 "2003-11-27T14:18:40Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Q.E.D. \*
> \*\*It’s not paint, it’s the [insulation](http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/walmartlights.html): \*\*
Thanks, Q.E.D.
So you’re saying that washing one’s hands probably isn’t necessary?
---
### Author:  [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)
#### Post date: [November 27, 2003, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-christmas-tree-lights-have-lead-paint-on-them/215521/5 "2003-11-27T21:16:18Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Carnac the Magnificent! \*
> \*\*…So you’re saying that washing one’s hands probably isn’t necessary? \*\*
Where did Q.E.D. say this?
Anyway, I would certainly wash my hands after handling lead. There is no known minimum safe level for exposure to lead. (The primary issue here is the migration of the lead from one’s hands to being ingested.)
Oh, and don’t eat the insulation, either… 😃
---
### Author:  [@captainQwark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/captainQwark)
#### Post date: [November 27, 2003, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-christmas-tree-lights-have-lead-paint-on-them/215521/6 "2003-11-27T21:38:40Z")
since there is no safe minimum amount of lead, does that mean a single lead molecule can cause harm?
---
### Author:  [@olefin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/olefin)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2003, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-christmas-tree-lights-have-lead-paint-on-them/215521/7 "2003-11-28T00:34:19Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by captainQwark \*
> \*\*since there is no safe minimum amount of lead, does that mean a single lead molecule can cause harm? \*\*
The State of California would probably say yes. 😃
I’m already dead for I melted huge amounts of lead wheel weights for casting bullets about 25 years ago.