Testing found three children’s products with
dangerous levels of cadmium
For Immediate Release
SAINT PAUL – 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. As the holiday
shopping season begins, the agencies are also offering tips to Minnesota
families about how to protect their children against toxic jewelry and toys.
Minnesota has enacted several laws that restrict and regulate
toxic chemicals in children’s products. The Minnesota Department of Commerce,
Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
established the Chemicals in Products Interagency Team to enforce these laws
and encourage industry compliance.
Earlier
this year, the Interagency Team launched a pilot investigation to identify children’s jewelry sold in Minnesota
that may pose a health hazard due to toxic chemicals.
The Pollution Control Agency bought 89 children’s jewelry products,
both in store and online. Laboratory testing identified three products with extremely high levels of cadmium, a toxic
metal. The Department of Health determined that these levels represented a
hazard to children, and the Commerce Department then conducted an investigation
under the Safe Toys Act.
The three children’s jewelry products were purchased
from independent retailers on Amazon.com. The Commerce Department notified the
retailers that these 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.
The continuing investigation is focused on
identifying the manufacturers and other retailers that may be selling the
products.
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.
Babies and young children are at particular risk because they often bite, chew
or suck on toys and other objects.
The three state agencies have a
fact sheet on the investigation, with
photos and information about the three products. It also includes consumer 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.
For additional health information, visit the
Department of Health’s Toxic Free Kids Act webpage
Media Contacts:
Commerce: Ross Corson, ross.corson@state.mn.us; 651-539-1463
Health: Doug Schultz, doug.schultz@state.mn.us; 651-201-4993
PCA: Alexis Donath, alexis.donath@state.mn.us; 651-757-2312
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