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"Since the lead-laden jewelry recall in 2003, the Good Housekeeping Research Institute has vigilantly followed the children&amp;#039;s market, and conducted our own testing if something doesn&amp;#039;t seem quite right. Recently, we noticed inexpensive kids&amp;#039; jewelry items with warning labels stating that they not be given to children under ages 7, 12, and 14, respectively. Based on the petite sizes and dainty designs, it was clear to us that these pieces would appeal to younger kids, and would likely be purchased as first-communion or birthday gifts. We were immediately suspicious. What we tested: We sent five styles of earrings and two necklaces \u2014 purchased at Walmart, Target, and Claire&amp;#039;s \u2014 to an independent lab to be analyzed for heavy metals, including lead and cadmium, which can be poisonous if ingested. We tested for total lead content, both on the surface and within the substrate, a process far more accurate than the &amp;quot;X-ray gun&amp;quot; method often used. What we found: All seven items contained well above the government&amp;#039;s limit for lead in children&amp;#039;s products \u2014 even a couple that were labeled &amp;quot;sterling silver,&amp;quot; which by definition is 92.5 percent pure silver. A Disney-branded red sparkly earring, sold as part of a set at Walmart, contained 14,200 parts per million (ppm) of lead, which is 47 times the government-mandated lead limit for products designed for children (300 ppm), according to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The heart pendant necklace (12,200 ppm \u2014 40 times the limit) and heart earring (2,130 ppm \u2014 seven times the limit) in this same set \u2014 labeled &amp;quot;not intended for use by children under 7&amp;quot; \u2014 were also violators of the CPSIA. A delicate sterling silver and enamel daisy earring, sold at Claire&amp;#039;s, had almost three times the amount of lead permitted. While there was no age recommendation, consumers might easily purchase this for young children. Another jewelry set from Walmart, including a simple stud earring, contained 124 times the permissible level of lead \u2014 37,200 ppm. A sparkly stud earring sold in the same set had 44 times the lead limit \u2014 13,400 ppm. While both items were labeled &amp;quot;not intended for use by children under 14,&amp;quot; they clearly could be worn by young children. A sterling silver cross necklace, sold at Target \u2014 which might be bought as a gift for a first communion \u2014 contained 14 times the lead limit (4,220 ppm) and had an age warning &amp;quot;not intended for children age 12 and under.&amp;quot; Most of the pieces also contained cadmium, the culprit in several recent jewelry recalls. What we recommend: \u2028\u2028 \u2022 Avoid purchasing any inexpensive jewelry for children. According to our test, you can&amp;#039;t even trust pieces labeled &amp;quot;sterling silver.&amp;quot; \u2022 Keep all jewelry and charms out of reach of small children, who are more likely to mouth or swallow these items, and are therefore at risk of poisoning and choking. \u2022 Although swallowing a lead- or cadmium-containing trinket is unlikely to cause immediate harm or death, it is a risk. Call Poison Control (800-222-1222) immediately if you suspect your child has ingested any such item. We urge the CPSC to issue an immediate recall of these items and to issue regulations on all heavy metals in children&amp;#039;s products. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/a18616/hazardous-kids-jewelry/?click=main_sr>