Why artificial flowers are dangerous

Some words about artificial flowers… being left on cemeteries.

Days of remembrance are at hand so shops and small markets already are piled with all kinds of artificial plastic flowers.

The bright colour of this “bliss” fades in two or three months, now the negative effect on environment lasts.

These flowers are made of definite sorts of plastic, threads and wax-processed paper so they consequently emit under sunlight an unpleasant odour which can make you feel bad after you’ve visited a cemetery. The sunlight can also inflame the flowers, and it is unknown what exactly sorts of plastic are used, as this goods origins in China and is not subjected to certification.

It is STRICTLY PROHIBITED to incinerate and put artificial flowers into the ground!

When being burnt plastic flowers discharge hazardous toxic substances – phenol, formaldehyde, nitrogen and sulphur oxides, dioxines.

These agents cause:

• irritation of rhinopharynx and eyes mucous membranes;
• multiplied effect of chronic diseases;
• tumours;
• poor immunity;
• infertility and congenital disorders.

Dioxines spread up to 24 kilometers as a result of incinerating plastic flowers, get into ground, water, and air, kill soil life forms and thus soil fertility. 

Formaldehyde is a powerful carcinogen, it irritates respiratory tracts, and is toxic when concentrated.

Phenol leads to neural disorders, and sulphur and nitrogen oxides may provoke short wind, pneumonia and pulmonary edema.

Artificial flowers are not to be buried as well, since they degrade up to 200 years and discharge toxins into ground. The older the cemetery is, the more dangerous is staying there a long time.

It is impossible to recycle plastic flowers too in compliance with regulations, as our region has no litter-processing plant. So it seems that the harm from this “bliss” is incomparable to the purpose this goods is produced for.

At present time there is no legislation that would ban importing plastic flowers or prohibit their use for decorating graves. So what do we do then?

Merely avoid buying them and taking them to cemetery. Some local hromadas appeal on their websites to refuse from artificial flowers on the graves. This thing has nothing to do with faith, so the folks can be commemorated without it.

What can replace plastic flowers?

• perennial shrubs that require no special care;
• bunches composed from dried or fresh flowers;
• bunches of candies;
• coniferous wreaths;
• paper flowers.

In today’s world one has to be more eco-friendly and use natural items instead of synthetic whenever possible. One’s up to decide on one’s own!

By: Yuliya Avramenko