RALEIGH, N.C. – There could be something living on your Christmas tree that is making you sick, and doctors believe they know what the culprit is.There's something about the smell of pine that lures people like Perry Eure to the Raleigh Farmer's Market year after year."It smells great doesn't it? The Christmas season is here,” Eure said.
 
Take a deep breath when the tree is freshly cut and you might be ok, but remember as the tree decays, something else might be living. A recent study found the amount of mold spores on your tree can significantly increase after two weeks inside your home. Dr. Kevin Doyle with Raleigh Ear, Nose and Throat says the findings don’t surprise him.
 
"I think it's been suspected for a long time but we didn't really understand what was causing the allergic reactions,” Doyle said. "The decay has something to do with it and also the fact the tree, we put it in water which helps mold grow, it's also in a warmer more humid environment. All those things help the mold count go up."
 
Doyle says if you have mold allergies try rinsing the tree, makes sure it dries before bringing it inside and immediately after the holidays get rid of it.
 
The threat of mold isn't enough to keep Michael Canon from buying his first Christmas tree. He says some traditions are worth starting, and smelling.
 
"The smell, the smell inside the house,” Canon said.
http://www.nbc17.com/midatlantic/ncn/news.apx.-content-articles-NCN-2007-12-10-0015.html
 
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