If you’re an eco-freak like me, you probably went out and bought those new energy efficient LED twinkle lights to do your holiday decorating this year. My husband Matt strung a couple of oh-so-festive, multi-colored strands of LED lights up on our porch this weekend and then promptly washed his hands, as advised on the package:

WARNING: Handling the coated electrical wire of this product exposes you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm. Wash hands after use.

I’m all for saving energy, but why can’t we have energy efficient lights that aren’t contaminated by toxins? Every single brand of LED lights on the store shelves–and I’ve looked at plenty–contains this advisory, although some are more upfront about it than others, which hide the bad news on the instructions inside. They’re all made in China, which, apparently, can’t manufacture anything without adding a dash of contaminants.

Give Home Depot extra points for chutzpah; their LED lights bear an “Eco-options” label, their seal of approval that lets shoppers know a product is environmentally friendly. Lead tainted LEDs? More like an eek!-oh!-option. Just remember to wash your hands.