CPSC to Investigate Cadmium Content in Children’s Jewelries

January 12, 2010

Washington - The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is set to investigate cadmium content in toys despite declarations by Wal-Mart and other stores that said there was no required cadmium standard for children’s jewelries.

The investigation ensued following the laboratory tests requested by the Associated Press that found out that high cadmium content which was hazardous to consumer’s health. Apparently Chinese manufacturers had replaced lead with cadmium.

“There is nothing positive that you can say about this metal. It is a poison," said Bruce Fowler, a cadmium specialist and toxicologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP). It is a carcinogen and is the top seven on the most hazardous substances list of CDCP. It can prevent proper brain development in children when they are exposed to it.

The accessories came from Wal-Mart, Claire’s and dollar stores. Claire’s said that children’s jewelries do not have any requirement on passing a cadmium leaching test. They had been passing the requirements of the CPSC for their bracelets.

Cadmium comprised 91 per cent of the metal content and some of the products shed heavy metal thus alerting authorities on the hazardous level of exposure to children. According to the lab test, three flip-flop bracelet charms from Wal-Mart had 84 percent and 86 percent cadmium. Sulyn Industries, importer of the bracelets, stopped the distribution to Walmart in 2008. Harry Dickens, Sulyn Industries president, said the products underwent testing standards but cadmium was not one of them.

CPSC said that if the products were painted toys, these would be recalled.