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"Last week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that it has initiated a formal investigation into the alleged use of cadmium in children&amp;#039;s products. This was a response to an Associated Press report on January 11th that a sampling of children&amp;#039;s jewelry had revealed in testing high (91% by weight) contents of cadmium, a heavy metal. Cadmium is a soft whitish metal that occurs naturally in soil and is, perhaps, best known as half of rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries, but is also used in pigments, electroplating, and plastics. All of the products being investigated were made in China. Cadmium has become attractive to manufacturers of inexpensive jewelry because it is cheap, an easy replacement for lead (which has been limited in use by the CPSIA, see our blog), and easy to work with. However, it is a known carcinogen and can hinder brain development in the very young, according to the AP article. The danger is that children will be exposed to cadmium if they suck or bite on jewelry with high cadmium content. Two of the products that tested with high contents of cadmium where bracelet charms sold at Walmart stores and at the jewelry chain Claire&amp;#039;s. In a statement to Good Housekeeping, Walmart stated, &amp;quot;We will immediately remove from sale those items identified in recent media reports regarding cadmium while our own investigation is being completed.&amp;quot; A spokesperson from Claire&amp;#039;s told us they are &amp;quot;discontinuing the sale of the bracelet....We would point out that this item is not a toy and it is intended to be worn by our 7- to 12-year-old customer.&amp;quot; Good Housekeeping also contacted other stores to ask what procedures they are taking in regard to testing for heavy metals, such as cadmium. JCPenney stated that, &amp;quot;Although a Federal standard for cadmium in children&amp;#039;s jewelry does not currently exist, the retail chain has established a standard for cadmium in all children&amp;#039;s products, including jewelry.&amp;quot; Target said &amp;quot;All owned-brand (Target branded) children&amp;#039;s jewelry is currently tested for heavy metals, including cadmium, in surface coating as defined by the U.S. Government.&amp;quot; As you probably know, Good Housekeeping has always keep a watchful eye on dangerous children&amp;#039;s products and has called attention in the past to lead in children&amp;#039;s toys, kids&amp;#039; costumes and sleepwear that don&amp;#039;t meet flammability regulations and dangerous pool toys. We will keep you posted about cadmium in children&amp;#039;s products, as news develops. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/a3055/stores-react-to-cpsc-investiga/>