Sale Of ‘Toxic’ Kids’ Jewelry Ended In Minnesota

Three children’s jewelry products containing “toxic” levels of cadmium were recalled this month as the result of a joint investigation by three state agencies to enforce Minnesota’s Safe Toys Act, state officials announced Wednesday.

Earlier this year, as part of a pilot investigation, authorities bought 89 children’s jewelry products, both in stores and online. Laboratory testing identified three products with “extremely high” levels of cadmium, a toxic metal, according to state officials. The Department of Health said the levels posed a danger to children.

The three children’s jewelry products were purchased from independent retailers on Amazon.com. After the Commerce Department told the retailers the products posed a toxic hazard to children and violated Minnesota law, the companies voluntarily issued recalls and provided refunds to Minnesota consumers. Amazon removed the online product listings and cooperated with the investigation, according to authorities.

The state government has a fact sheet on the investigation, with photos and information about the three products.

What is cadmium?

Some companies now use cadmium as a low-cost substitute for lead, which is highly restricted in children’s products. But cadmium exposure is associated with delayed brain development, kidney and bone damage, and cancer, according to state health officials. Babies and young children are at particular risk because they often bite, chew or suck on toys and other objects.

The Commerce Department recommends consumers follow these safety tips:

• Don’t rely on appearances. There is no way to know if a product contains high levels of cadmium, lead or other toxic metals just by looking at it.
• Buy age-appropriate products. If you have small children, don’t purchase or allow access to jewelry unless specifically labeled for children 6 years and under. General/adult use items may not have been tested as safe for children.
• Look for product information. U.S.-made jewelry is generally safer. Avoid buying jewelry when there is no information about where it was made. Look for toxic-free certification. In general, you can examine jewelry items, labels and tags more closely in person at a store.
• Don’t allow your child to put jewelry in their mouth. Toxic exposure can come from biting, chewing or sucking on a piece of jewelry – or, even worse, swallowing it. If your child often puts items in their mouth, keep jewelry and other small objects well out of reach.
• If your child swallows a piece of jewelry, seek urgent medical attention.

Photo credit: AP Photo/Ben Margot