Beware: Deadly Toxic Children's Jewelry

Lead is not the only concern with toys, baby formula, dishes, and pottery from China. Now we need to review the jewelry we buy both for ourselves and our children. There is a new toxic metal in town just as dangerous as lead and mercury. It's worse in one regard, because there are no federal laws at this point to restrict the toxic metal. This toxic metal is Cadmium.

Cadmium is a highly toxic metal used in many industrial manufacturing processes: a component of solder, electroplating, engraving, nickel-cadmium batteries, engraving, and cadmium vapor lamps. Jewelry is turning up with the poison because of the manufacture process that involves casting the pieces and soldering them together. Cadmium is toxic at low doses and even 10 milligrams either swallowed or inhaled is poisonous.

Inhaled symptoms include dry throat, cough, headache, chest pain, pulmonary edema. Broncho-spasm, muscle weakness and leg pain.

Ingested symptoms include: choking, vomiting, stomach pain and anemia.

Both children's and women's jewelry may be toxic and deadly.

You now must worry about lead, mercury and cadmium in both toys and jewelry. A California Environmental Protection group tested jewelry from several sources including Walmart, Saks 5^th Avenue, Aeropostale, and Catherines, a national chain of plus-size stores. The laboratory testing found a number of pieces of jewelry that contained high amounts of Cadmium. The jewelry pieces came from both China and India. . There are limits for lead but no limits for cadmium in jewelry under federal law. Children's jewelry is especially dangerous because kids put the jewelry in their mouth and hands. kids are always sticking their hands in their mouth, and don't wash their hands as often as they should. Cadmium was found in several jewelry pieces for women as well.

What you need to do to protect your children:

Cadmium is most often found in costume jewelry. Be safe and don't buy inexpensive jewelry and charm bracelets from stores such as Walmart and 99 Cent Stores. The CPS Commission advises parents to throw out all cheap children's jewelry. There is a recall for several items sold at Walmart stores.

Agencies are working on getting the Feds to ban Cadmium in children's jewelry in the next year. This month, there is a bill, H.R. 4428, "The Children's Toxic Metals Act," initiated by U.S. Rep.Jackie Speier from California to prohibit Cadmium and other toxic metals from being used in children's toys, jewelry and games. There is also a senate bill on this as well, initiated by Sen. Charles Schumer of New York. Make sure you write your state representatives showing support for these bills. You must put pressure that these bills are passed, not forgotten under the weight of other paperwork for review.

Buy American made toys and jewelry which is much safer. Buy glass or wood beads and create jewelry for your kids. It's easy to do and fun. They will love it and you won't have to worry. There are many classes that teach jewelry making and some of it is simple. Have the kids help you to make their own jewelry as a project for a Sunday afternoon. Buy 14 or 18 carat jewelry once they are old enough to take care of them. Native Indian jewelry is another idea for children and adults. It is beautiful and helps out the tribe as well.

Here is a link to one company that sells American made products. I would call their customer service number and grille them on how they make sure all their products are American made. Ask them how they ensure that the products are free from metal toxicity such as lead and cadmium. You pay for what you get and cheap jewelry may mean toxic poisoning for your child.

References:

http://www.mjsa.org/public_affairs/cadmium_found_in_childrens_jewelry/

http://www.answers.com/topic/cadmium-poisoning

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100111/ap_on_he_me/us_cadmium_jewelry