Cadmium has been found in trinkets for children distributed from doctor and dentist offices.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recalling nearly 70,000 charm bracelets and rings. For the fourth time this year, the CPSC has announced a recall of children’s jewelry and products containing cadmium, a known carcinogen. Cadmium is particularly toxic if ingested by young children and can cause kidney effects. The toys have been given away at doctor and dentist offices since June 2005 up until March of this year.
The metal has been seen increasingly in children’s trinkets since a 2008 federal law banned lead from children’s jewelry. Since then, the Associated Press reports, Chinese manufacturers have substituted cadmium for lead. AP tested some jewelry and found it contained as much as 91 percent cadmium by weight.
Other cadmium recalls have included Disney-type jewelry sold at Wal-Mart, and the “Best Friends” charm bracelet sold at Claire’s. In June, the Shrek movie theme glasses given away at McDonalds had cadmium in the pigment.
In the latest recall, parents are told to throw away “Children’s Happy Charm Bracelets” and 2,200 rings with a football shape charm and adjustable band. The bracelets are made of colorful beads and the charms come in the shape of a butterfly, moon, or sun.
Jacksonville child product liability attorneys are pleased that the distributor, SmileMakers Inc., of Spartanburg, South Carolina, reported to be a subsidiary of Staples Inc., is working cooperatively with the CPSC on launching the voluntary recall.
