The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has just announced a large recall of about 55,000 Children’s Metal Necklaces.
The recalled necklaces, which were manufactured in China and imported by FAF Inc., of Greenville, Rhode Island, contain high levels of cadmium. Cadmium is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. To date, no incidents or injuries have been reported in connection with this recall.
Of note, this is not the first time that news that cadmium was used by Chinese manufacturers in children’s jewelry. The ongoing problem has prompted action by two New York lawmakers. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, a Democrat, wants the toxic metal defined as a banned hazardous substance, while New York State Senator James S. Alesi, Republican-Perinton, recently introduced a bill in Albany to ban the use of cadmium in jewelry marketed to young children.
The legislative push follows the publication of an Associated Press report that found cadmium in 12 of 103 pieces of children’s jewelry and trinkets tested. The most contaminated piece analyzed for its investigation contained a whopping 91-percent cadmium by weight. Other pieces of jewelry tested at 89 percent, 86 percent, and 84 percent by weight.
Chinese manufacturers likely switched to using cadmium in the jewelry because they are barred from using lead, the Associated Press said. But cadmium is every bit as dangerous. Cadmium is a known carcinogen, and can interfere with brain development in very young children. On the Centers for Disease Control’s priority list of 275 most hazardous substances in the environment, cadmium ranks No. 7. Kids can ingest the cadmium in jewelry by sucking or biting it.
The recalled jewelry is shaped as a metal crown or frog pendant on a metal link chain necklace in a crown-hinged box. The packaging contains the words “The Princess and the Frog†and the following model numbers and UPC codes:
Crown: Model # 4616-4187; UPC # 72783367144
Frog: Model # 4616-4190; UPC # 72783367147
The recalled Children’s Metal Necklaces were sold exclusively at Walmart retail stores nationwide from November 2009 through January 2010 for $5.
F.A.F. is advising consumers to immediately take the recalled jewelry away from children. Consumers should return the recalled jewelry to any Walmart store for a full refund or a free replacement product. F.A.F. Inc. can be reached at (800) 949-3311 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, or at the firm’s Web site at www.faf.com.
