Community | January 10, 2010 | 6 comments

TOXIC CARCINOGEN Found In Kids Jewelry - Walmart / Claire's / "Princess And The Frog"

source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34793600/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

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Found_Avenue
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.

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.

To 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 test results were for bracelet charms sold at Walmart, at the jewelry chain Claire's and at a dollar store. High amounts of cadmium also were detected in "The Princess and The Frog" movie-themed pendants.



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  1. groups:
    Community,   Current Tonight
  2. tags:
    Health,  China,  Jewelry,  Walmart,  3 more
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6 comments // TOXIC CARCINOGEN Found In Kids Jewelry - Walmart / Claire's / "Princess And The Frog"

  • treewolf39
    • 0
      treewolf39  

    • I see kids with crap I would never give to them, but someone does. The three places where these items are being distributed are all of very questionable value.

      Bottom line there needs to be consumer protection.

    • 1 year ago
  • nursediesel
    • +1
      nursediesel  

    • I know this sounds like I don't care, I do but....
      Why would anyone give a child a charm bracelet to suck or chew on? These items are for older girls not toddlers. Do you remember sucking or chewing on your jewelry? Why would someone do that? Parents teach your kids to keep all things but food and dental related stuff out of their mouthes. eeeww!
      On the other hand China is in the throes of a commercial growth that is gangbusters and the government has very little interest in protecting the Chinese kids let alone any other countries. The manufacturers will do what ever they can as cheaply as possible to sell, sell, sell... bottom line.
      Read where things are made before you impulse buy and check all gifts. Instruct your kids likewise. Keep everything out of your mouth that doesn't belong in your mouth.. I never could understand giving little ones jewelry!

    • 2 years ago
  • Found_Avenue
    • +1
      Found_Avenue  
    • nursediesel:

      "Princess And The Frog" happy meals are given to kids who don't know any better, and a parent assumes it's safe...

      Plus, I've seen pre-teen and teenage girls absentmindedly put jewelry in their mouths (like when playing with a charm on a necklace they're wearing) and they are Claire's #1 customers...

      Little babies are not the only ones we need to be concerned about here...

    • 2 years ago
  • nursediesel
    • 0
      nursediesel  
    • nursediesel:

      I understand that but we still need to keep repeating to our kids not to put things in their mouths, especially with the health issues we see here now.
      I, too frequently shopped at Claire's for hair stuff, as well as my daughter and her friends. I know they got tired of me repeating how dangerous it is to put stuff in your mouthes and wash your hands....and even cheap earrings if Your get breakdown around the post or hoop, etc.
      I was always the 'safety first' mother and I gave everyone (lovingly) the spiel. Kids need to be safe by their own knowledge and family/friend protection. Big bad things lurk all around us.
      Bottom line is be an educated consumer and parent. Like CSN sang"Teach Your Children well..."

    • 2 years ago
  • EdJoyProductions
    • +1
      EdJoyProductions  

    • China is trying to kill us. I think that they are pretty clear about that. Manufacturers that are too cheap to stop dealing with a country that has the business ethics of rattlesnake need to be boycotted.

      Remember Mattel supplied the paint to the Chinese factory that was manufacturing the toys last year and that manufacturer deliberately switched it with a cheaper lead based paint. Then Mattel apologized to China. I will never buy another Mattel product ever again. It may have been an original oversight but after the apology, it was collusion.

    • 2 years ago
  • raylinmarie
    • +1
      raylinmarie  

    • When are we going to figure out we need to require more monitoring of the offshore manufactures? They obviously aren't going to stop putting toxic materials in our goods on their own.

    • 2 years ago
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