Consumer Reports, the nonprofit consumer group, says it has tested more than 30 children’s products for lead, cadmium, and other metals and the results are “worrisome.”
Using a technique called the X-ray fluorescence, the October issue of Consumer Reports magazine finds toxic metals in a rhinestone hair barrette, a vinyl rain coat, and clover shaped cell phone charm, reports CNN.
The group had been looking for lead and increasingly for cadmium, a metal that has been used to replace lead. It is commonly found in paint and batteries and currently the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has no standard for cadmium, though a standard is under development.
The clover leaf charm, which is sold at retailer Claire’s, was found with 100,000 parts per million of total lead, which is illegal to use in children’s products. Claire’s markets its jewelry and trinkets to young customers. In May, the company voluntarily recalled a charm bracelet found to contain a large level of cadmium.
The barrette with high levels of cadmium was made by Revlon Couture Hair Accessory Barrette. A product for an adult is less likely to find its way to the mouth of a child, which is the most common way for a child to come in contact with the toxic metals.
The Kidorable bumblebee raincoat, was marketed to youngsters and reformulated two years ago because it contained lead. But the magazine found on store shelves the old version complete with the toxic metal. Consumers are advised to use lead and cadmium testing kits and to remove cheap metal jewelry from children as well as check kid’s toys against a government recall list.
Manufacturers, along with sellers and distributors, are responsible for the safety of the products they sell. If you have been injured by a defective product, created by either a manufacturing or design defect, you may be able to recover for your injuries under product liability or negligence law. The Florida defective child products attorneys at Farah & Farah would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
