Jewelry From China Tainted with Toxic Metal: ; Factories Are Using Cadmium, Which Is Not Tightly Regulated
Charleston Gazette › January 12, 2010
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Summary
LOS ANGELES - Barred from using lead in children's jewelry because of its toxicity, some Chinese manufacturers have been substituting the more dangerous heavy metal cadmium in sparkling charm bracelets and shiny pendants being sold throughout the United States, an Associated Press investigation shows.
The most contaminated piece analyzed in lab testing performed for the AP contained a startling 91 percent cadmium by weight. The cadmium content of other contaminated trinkets, all purchased at national and regional chains or franchises, tested at 89 percent, 86 percent and 84 percent by weight. The testing also showed that some items easily shed the heavy metal, raising additional concerns about the levels of exposure to children.See the full content of this document
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Jewelry From China Tainted with Toxic Metal: ; Factories Are Using Cadmium, Which Is Not Tightly Regulated
Cadmium is a known carcinogen. Like lead, it can hinder brain development in the very young, according to recent research.
Children don't have to swallow an item to be exposed - they can get persistent, low-level doses by regularly sucking or biting jewelry with a high cadmium content.The test resultsTo gauge cadmium's prevalence in children's jewelry, the AP organized lab testing of 103 items bought in New York, Ohio, Texas and California. All but one were purchased in November or December.The results: 12 percent of the pieces of jewelry contained at least 10 percent cadmium.Some of the most troubling...See the full content of this document
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