Lead and Cadmium in Children’s Products
June 22, 2010
It seems like lead in children’s products are all the rage right now. Juice and fruit may be new news but lead in kid’s products isn’t new – it’s just getting more widespread.
The Good Housekeeping Research Institute (the magazine’s product testing laboratory) released a report showing that kid’s jewelry from Target, Claire’s and Walmart all had lead in them. And it’s not just the cheapy Dollar Store jewelry. It’s jewelry labeled ‘sterling silver’, licensed character jewelry like Disney, and jewelry labeled for children over age 7. An earring set from Walmart had 124 times the lead limit and the Disney jewelry had 47 times the lead limit. Remember, there is no safe limit of lead exposure for kids. Most of the jewelry also contained cadmium. The GHRI recommends that parents avoid purchasing any inexpensive jewelry for children.
Unfortunately, lead has been found in hundreds (thousands?) of other products designed for children. The Daily Green keeps a running list, with photos, that you can review to make sure you don’t have these products in your home. It’s in everything from pacifier clips to glasses, books, balls and hockey sticks. Today’s recall was kid’s belts from Target.
So what’s the next step? Do you dump all the jewelry and painted toys in your house? Ban products from China? Chill out and relax?
Comments
Be the crazy mom lady (but don’t hound) and then let them decide for themselves. You can’ t make solid decisions unless you are informed. If it doesn’t bother them then it doesn’t. But if it does and they didn’t know then they were in the dark and it is night to be aware. Good luck!
I agree. I would definately mention to the director that you saw the peaches and were just wondering if she had checked the list to see if those were on there too. I would also make a few photocopies of your list and as parents are dropping off or picking up their kids, casually mention the information that you found and if they are interested, give them a copy. My friends all silently roll their eyes at me, but I know that they appreciate that I am just looking out for their kids.