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An Associated Press (AP) investigation has revealed that some Chinese Manufacturers, after being banned from using toxic lead in children’s jewelry, have now been substituting an even more dangerous heavy metal–cadmium. This metal has been found in many pendants and charm bracelets sold throughout discount stores throughout the United States. However for this investigation, the AP bought items in California, Texas, New York and Ohio.
Some of the toys and charms contained dangerous levels of Cadmium, and some toys had as much as 91% of their composition containing Cadmium. Some trinkets contained levels of cadmium that reached 90%. In addition to the obvious health concerns of wearing this type of jewelry, the testing also found that some items were shedding this material which raises concerns when children are exposed to this type of health risk.
Similar to lead, cadmium can hinder brain development in very young children and is a known carcinogen. The danger of Cadmium is not just if the toy is swallowed. Like lead, if the child just sucks on the necklace, dangerous leeching can occur. Biting or sucking on this jewelry can leach low level dose exposure.
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, a governmental agency that is supposedly there to regulate the safety of children’s items, stated that they were quickly opening a new investigation to look into the problem. One of the biggest problems is why it takes a news organization to expose these hazardous youth items?
The answer is quite simply that the CPSC does not test for cadmium in children’s’ jewelry and toys. Accessory store sales of the Best Friend bracelets, has now recalled over 19,000 bracelets. This jewelry has been distributed throughout Europe and North America in over 3,000 stores. Walmart, Claire’s and Dollar Store are three retailers that have been identified as sellers of this jewelry and toys.
Charles Schumer, a New York Senator is attempting to introduce legislation that would stop the use of cadmium in the production of children’s toys and jewelry…It does not matter where it is made. Although congress passed a major overhaul of consumer product safety in 2008, that law specifically prohibited lead from products targeted to children under 12. Speculation that cadmium was abundant and cheap, as well as easy to mold into jewelry and other small items, has led to assumptions that cadmium is used in many more products.
Although no reports of death or injury has been reported; Cadmium, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, is a serious carcinogen, and can cause a build up of calcium which affect the kidneys, liver and other health systems.
Be especially cautious of the Best Friend bracelets. Consumers are urged to return them to the store for a full refund. For more information, you can contact Claire’s toll-free at (866) 859-9281.
Chinese toy industry veterans have stated that they have used cadmium for years in their toys, the fact remains that of the 275 more hazardous substances in the environment, cadmium ranks number 7.
Tags: Cadmium, childs, chinese, Danger, manufacturers
