EPA Says Poinsettias Are Poisonous

Despite scientific proof that poinsettias are nontoxic, misinformation has a way of spreading like a weed around the holidays. When that myth crept into an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) blog recently, a Society of American Florists (SAF) member quickly responded to set the blogger and the record straight.

“Poinsettias are not poisonous. Please check your facts before publishing such a post,” wrote Steven Newman, Colorado State horticulture professor, in response to an article titled “Be Careful With That Green Thumb.”

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Jennifer Sparks, SAF’s vice president of marketing, also reached out to the agency. In an e-mail to Peter Grevatt, director of the EPA’s Office of Children’s Health Protection, she wrote: “The poinsettia is the most widely tested consumer plant on the market today, proving the myth to be false.” Sparks also cited some of the research supporting its safety.

Grevatt apologized “for the misinformation” about the popular holiday plant. “We have flagged the reference to poinsettias on the blog posting and referred readers to the comments pointing out our error,” he wrote in an e-mail. “I hope this addresses your concerns.”

For more information on SAF, visit its website at SAFNow.org.

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Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

The EPA is hazardous to your health in many respects.

The EPA has succeeded in having CO2 classified as being hazardous to society. Do any growers usse CO2 anymore for growth enhancement like was used in earlier decades for carnation growth?

Do any of you use CO2 emitting coal or oil, or gas burning methods of heating your facilities.? You are now classified as contributing to Global Warming per Al Gore etc, so watch out for the regulations and controls to fly. You may also be expected to pay Cap and Trade fees for the travesty of producing CO2.

Think this is a joke?? Please read up and do not be caught off guard. Clamp down on your local Congressmen and Senators to keep this bureaucracy in check before it is too late for business in North America.

The above retraction and correction is one of the few ever made by the EPA. They generally appear to be above reproach or correction. Well done Jennifer Sparks, and Steven Newman.

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

The EPA is hazardous to your health in many respects.

The EPA has succeeded in having CO2 classified as being hazardous to society. Do any growers usse CO2 anymore for growth enhancement like was used in earlier decades for carnation growth?

Do any of you use CO2 emitting coal or oil, or gas burning methods of heating your facilities.? You are now classified as contributing to Global Warming per Al Gore etc, so watch out for the regulations and controls to fly. You may also be expected to pay Cap and Trade fees for the travesty of producing CO2.

Think this is a joke?? Please read up and do not be caught off guard. Clamp down on your local Congressmen and Senators to keep this bureaucracy in check before it is too late for business in North America.

The above retraction and correction is one of the few ever made by the EPA. They generally appear to be above reproach or correction. Well done Jennifer Sparks, and Steven Newman.