Artificial Christmas trees can contain harmful chemicals that can be released into the air and cause health problems. These chemicals can include formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause respiratory issues, headaches, nausea, and other symptoms. If you're concerned about the safety of your artificial Christmas tree, you can do a few things to minimize your exposure to these chemicals. For example, you can choose an artificial tree that has been certified by a reputable third-party organization such as the Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI) or the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) for low chemical emissions.