AP: Cadmium Found in Children's Jewelry
By: Amy Young - YNN.com
An Associated Press investigation revealed Chinese manufacturers switched to using the heavy metal cadmium in children's jewelry after they were banned from using lead.
Cadmium is a known carcinogen. Lab tests show one piece of jewelry had as much as 91 percent cadmium by weight.
The jewelry items were purchased in New York, Ohio, Texas and California.
Tests showed some pieces easily shed the heavy metal. Like lead, cadmium can hinder brain development in the very young.
"Children are more susceptible, extremely susceptible. They grow so fast, and it accumulates, the cadmium accumulates in their kidneys. It attacks different organs. And they don't even have to eat it, they don't have to swallow it. They can inhale it. They can just suck on it," said Judy Braiman, consumer activist.
New York State Senator Jim Alesi is introducing legislation to ban the toxic metal.
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