Two businesses in Baltimore, Md., were issued violation
notices for selling children’s jewelry identified with a lead level in metal
components above the permissible level, the Baltimore City Health Department
announced April 28.

According to a BCHD press release, three products sold at A
Dollar and Beauty Lane contained a lead level above 300 parts per million
(ppm). The Consumer Product Safety Commission banned children’s jewelry with
metal components containing in excess of 300 ppm total lead on Aug. 14, 2009.

A blue flower ring sold at A Dollar contained 13,000 ppm in
the ring base and 70,000 ppm in the ring charm. A rhinestone girl chain and
charm sold at Beauty Lane contained 18,5000 ppm in the rhinestone and 20,900
ppm in the charm. A pink star ring also sold at Beauty Lane contained 34,700
ppm.

The BCHD ordered laboratory testing of 15 children’s jewelry
products in Sept. 2010 and three additional products in Nov. 2010.  The three products were the only products in
excess of 300 parts per million.

“These products were found to be extremely high in lead
content. Excess lead levels in children can severely impair development and can
even cause death,” commissioner Oxiris Barbot said in a statement.

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