Get the lead out: Beware of kids’ metal jewelry

The Senate has passed the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Reform Act, which is intended to bolster the safety of millions of products sold in the U.S., particularly goods used by children. Specifically, the Senate-approved bill bans all but trace amounts of lead in all children’s products and also requires third party pre-market testing for children's products. For all products, the measure creates a public database of complaints so that information on potentially unsafe products can be shared more quickly. The House of Representatives passed a similar bill late last year. Now Congress needs to iron out the differences between the two bills and present a strong final version to the President to be signed into law.

Over the past several years, there have been about 170 million pieces of lead-laden jewelry recalled by the CPSC. Lead is highly toxic and can cause a range of adverse health effects in children, including learning and behavioral disorders, if they ingest it. Some small items like charms and rings can contain enough lead to cause death if swallowed. One small study conducted by the CPSC found that 20 percent of children's jewelry in the marketplace has high levels of lead.

Consumer Reports recommends against buying any metal jewelry for children. Don't allow your child to wear any such jewelry that he or she has received as a gift. Recalled items, ranging from fake pearls to heavy metallic rings, chains and charms, were most often manufactured in China, and sold for around $1 to $15 at various discount and dollar stores, as well as department, gift shops and specialty stores. Jewelry from vending machines and jewelry used as part of school fundraisers and special promotional items have also been recalled due to lead levels. Not all inexpensive children’s jewelry contains lead, but it’s tough to tell the lead jewelry from the non-lead stuff. So why risk it? Your safest bet is to avoid bejeweling your child or buying jewelry as presents for other children, unless you know the metal content of the jewelry, such as sterling silver or 14K gold, and that it came from a reputable source. To see pictures of items that have been recalled, check the U.S. Government’s recall Web site, www.recalls.gov. (Even better, sign up for free e-mail notices of future recalls at the CPSC’s Web site, www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx so you can easily stay up to date.) Also check our online photo gallery of recalled jewelry. If you have a recalled item, take it away from your child and consult the CPSC recall notice for further details. In many cases, full refunds are being offered.