Cadmium in children’s jewellery
I have wrote before about the dangers of lead in children’s jewellery. Now there is a more dangerous product being used in children’s jewellery made in China. It is called cadmium. It is by far more toxic than lead. There are also two other products being used as well that can be very toxic (antimony and barium).
Cadmium is a soft whitish colored metal that naturally occurs in soil. It is a carcinogen and is know for causing cancer and can cause problems in brain development. Direct exposure can cause cancer, the kidneys can leak vital proteins and bones can spontaneously snap.
Some of the uses for cadmium are electroplating, plastics and it is also used in making pigments. As a matter of fact cadmium is a major component in making rechargeable batteries.
The American government has imposed restrictions of lead in children’s jewellery in 2008. Cadmium is used as a replacement for lead since that time. In 2009 a group did testing on many different children’s jewellery pieces made in China from several different stores. In many of the children’s jewellery cadmium was found in extraordinarily high levels. Some of those stores were Walmart, Clairs jewelery chain and Dollar and more. Walmart has pulled all children’s jewellery made in China off it’s shelf’s. The american government has just started an inquiry in the last few days. The Chinese government says that it is a matter for the domestic market.
Many of the children’s jewellery pieces that were tested were children’s bracelets and children’s pendants. One of the pieces tested was a pendant from the movie (The princess and the frog).
Cadmium is regulated for painted toys but not children’s jewellery. Some jewellery can easily shed cadmiun. Children are most likely exposed to cadmium by sucking, biting or chewing on jewellery.
Well I am a big fan of children’s jewellery I must recommend until the time comes when children’s jewellery coming from China falls under stick regulations you hold off purchasing it. Also if you have any children’s jewellery, baby rings, children’s bracelets, pendants or any other jewellery that you think might have came from China please do not let your children wear them. I recommend that you purchase all of your children jewellery from a vendor who can be sure of where it comes from.
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