The state found four items with elevated cadmium levels and one with elevated lead levels

The Department of Ecology for the state of Washington found elevated levels of the heavy metals cadmium and lead in recent tests of jewelry marketed to children.

The department tested 27 pieces of jewelry packaged with clothing and 132 pieces of jewelry sold individually. The jewelry sold alone did not contain high levels of either heavy metal, but five of the pieces tested that were packaged with clothing contained high levels of cadmium or lead.

Washington’s Children’s Safe Products Act says that items for children cannot contain more than 40 parts per million of cadmium. Four of the items with elevated levels had 984,000 parts per million. One item had elevated levels of lead and was referred to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which preempts state standards when it comes to lead in consumer products.

The department has notified the manufacturers of the cadmium-heavy jewelry that they are in violation of Washington’s Children’s Safe Products Act and could be required to take corrective action or be subject to penalties.

“There is simply no reason to have high levels of toxic metals like cadmium and lead in children’s products,” said Darin Rice, the Department of Ecology’s hazardous waste and toxics reduction program manager. “We tested a wide range of jewelry, and most of it was within acceptable levels. A few manufacturers, however, are not following the law and are putting children at risk.”

The items that had elevated levels of lead are by Beautees, manufactured by KWDZ Manufacturing; Soulmates Girl, manufactured by Big Strike, Inc.; and My Michelle Girls, manufactured by Kellwood Co. The item with elevated lead levels is by Xtraordinary, manufactured by SWAT, Inc.

More information is available here. 

JCK