State Finds High Amounts Of Lead In Childrenīs And Religious Jewelry
California Department of Toxic Substances Control
April 28, 2009
STATE FINDS HIGH AMOUNTS OF LEAD IN CHILDREN'S AND RELIGIOUS JEWELRY
LOS ANGELES - Today the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) held a press conference to announce the discovery of jewelry containing high levels of lead that exceed Californias regulatory limits. Some of the jewelry had labels claiming to be lead free and a large portion of it was imported from China.
Lead is a toxic metal which does not belong in jewelry, particularly not in childrens jewelry. Exposure to lead can cause serious health effects ranging from behavioral effects to death. Lead-containing jewelry poses a particular concern because children are prone to placing jewelry in their mouths, which can result in lead absorption at dangerous levels, noted DTSC Acting Director Maziar Movassaghi. As the parent of a young child, I know how difficult it is to prevent young children from constantly putting things in their mouths. The fact that items are mislabeled as lead free is extremely disturbing.
DTSC officials displayed samples of the lead-tainted jewelry and demonstrated how they determined the jewelry exceeded the amount of lead allowed under state law.
Click here to see pictures of jewelry items:
http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/Jewelry/jewelry_with_lead.cfm
DTSC discovered the jewelry in six locations (mainly distributor/importer warehouses) in southern California. An analysis by the DTSC Environmental Chemistry Lab found that childrens wooden angel pendant necklaces contained 736,000 parts per million (ppm) lead (nearly 74% lead). Another example is an adult turquoise stone pendant necklace that contained 710,000 ppm of lead. The jewelry containing high lead concentrations included items with religious images, such as medallions and crosses, which some people tend to kiss while praying.
On September 22, 2006, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Californias Lead-Containing Jewelry Law (Assembly Bill 1681). It went into effect on September 1, 2007. The law limits the amount of lead in childrens jewelry to either 200 ppm (0.02%) or 660 ppm (0.06%) depending on the component used. The law has since been extended to limit lead in adult and body-piercing jewelry, as well as to include watches and detachable clothing and shoe ornaments.
Movassaghi added, Under Governor Schwarzeneggers leadership and commitment to public health, DTSC has been closely monitoring the amount of lead in jewelry sold in the state.
Current law allows for authorized representatives to inspect factories, warehouses, or any establishment where jewelry is manufactured, packed, held or sold in order to enforce Lead-Containing Jewelry regulations.
DTSC is urging consumers to return any of these items to the place of purchase. Consumer lead-testing kits are also available and are sold in most hardware stores.
DTSC discovered more than 30 lead-tainted jewelry items at the locations below. DTSC discovered them as a direct result of its ongoing efforts, which begin in 2007, to regulate jewelry. DTSC investigators are working with distributors to have them voluntarily remove the products from the shelves. The distributors have agreed in order to prevent further distribution.
Choys Import
2627 South Soto Street
Vernon, CA 90023
New Choy
2857 Leonis Blvd
Vernon, CA 90058
Sanrio Surprises
2237 Glendale Galleria
Glendale, CA 91210
Longs Drugs
19783 Rinaldi Street
Northridge, CA 91326
Amen Trading, Inc
1743 East 42nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90058
Amuse Accessories
8443 Van Nuys Blvd, #44
Panorama City, CA 91402
Please visit the site below for Frequently Asked Questions:
http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/Jewelry/upload/LeadInJewelry_FAQ1.pdf
Please visit the site below for Fact Sheet on Californias Lead-Containing Jewelry Law:
http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/upload/HWMP_FS_Lead_In_Jewelry1.pdf
FOR GENERAL INQUIRIES: Contact the Department of Toxic Substances Control by phone at (800) 728-6942 or visit www.dtsc.ca.gov. To report illegal handling, discharge, or disposal of hazardous waste, call the Waste Alert Hotline at (800) 698-6942.
The mission of the Department of Toxic Substances Control is to protect public health, safety, and the environment from toxic harm.
LOS ANGELES - Today the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) held a press conference to announce the discovery of jewelry containing high levels of lead that exceed Californias regulatory limits. Some of the jewelry had labels claiming to be lead free and a large portion of it was imported from China.
Lead is a toxic metal which does not belong in jewelry, particularly not in childrens jewelry. Exposure to lead can cause serious health effects ranging from behavioral effects to death. Lead-containing jewelry poses a particular concern because children are prone to placing jewelry in their mouths, which can result in lead absorption at dangerous levels, noted DTSC Acting Director Maziar Movassaghi. As the parent of a young child, I know how difficult it is to prevent young children from constantly putting things in their mouths. The fact that items are mislabeled as lead free is extremely disturbing.
DTSC officials displayed samples of the lead-tainted jewelry and demonstrated how they determined the jewelry exceeded the amount of lead allowed under state law.
Click here to see pictures of jewelry items:
http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/Jewelry/jewelry_with_lead.cfm
DTSC discovered the jewelry in six locations (mainly distributor/importer warehouses) in southern California. An analysis by the DTSC Environmental Chemistry Lab found that childrens wooden angel pendant necklaces contained 736,000 parts per million (ppm) lead (nearly 74% lead). Another example is an adult turquoise stone pendant necklace that contained 710,000 ppm of lead. The jewelry containing high lead concentrations included items with religious images, such as medallions and crosses, which some people tend to kiss while praying.
On September 22, 2006, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Californias Lead-Containing Jewelry Law (Assembly Bill 1681). It went into effect on September 1, 2007. The law limits the amount of lead in childrens jewelry to either 200 ppm (0.02%) or 660 ppm (0.06%) depending on the component used. The law has since been extended to limit lead in adult and body-piercing jewelry, as well as to include watches and detachable clothing and shoe ornaments.
Movassaghi added, Under Governor Schwarzeneggers leadership and commitment to public health, DTSC has been closely monitoring the amount of lead in jewelry sold in the state.
Current law allows for authorized representatives to inspect factories, warehouses, or any establishment where jewelry is manufactured, packed, held or sold in order to enforce Lead-Containing Jewelry regulations.
DTSC is urging consumers to return any of these items to the place of purchase. Consumer lead-testing kits are also available and are sold in most hardware stores.
DTSC discovered more than 30 lead-tainted jewelry items at the locations below. DTSC discovered them as a direct result of its ongoing efforts, which begin in 2007, to regulate jewelry. DTSC investigators are working with distributors to have them voluntarily remove the products from the shelves. The distributors have agreed in order to prevent further distribution.
Choys Import
2627 South Soto Street
Vernon, CA 90023
New Choy
2857 Leonis Blvd
Vernon, CA 90058
Sanrio Surprises
2237 Glendale Galleria
Glendale, CA 91210
Longs Drugs
19783 Rinaldi Street
Northridge, CA 91326
Amen Trading, Inc
1743 East 42nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90058
Amuse Accessories
8443 Van Nuys Blvd, #44
Panorama City, CA 91402
Please visit the site below for Frequently Asked Questions:
http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/Jewelry/upload/LeadInJewelry_FAQ1.pdf
Please visit the site below for Fact Sheet on Californias Lead-Containing Jewelry Law:
http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/upload/HWMP_FS_Lead_In_Jewelry1.pdf
FOR GENERAL INQUIRIES: Contact the Department of Toxic Substances Control by phone at (800) 728-6942 or visit www.dtsc.ca.gov. To report illegal handling, discharge, or disposal of hazardous waste, call the Waste Alert Hotline at (800) 698-6942.
The mission of the Department of Toxic Substances Control is to protect public health, safety, and the environment from toxic harm.
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