California Action Alerts
- This bill seeks to protect toddlers and young children from Cadmium, a toxic metal found increasingly in children’s jewelry. These are our children and grandchildren!
- Since lead was banned as toxic, Cadmium has increasingly been replacing lead in jewelry, particularly in products coming from China.
- According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, cadmium does not have to be ingested by children for them to be exposed to the metal. Biting or sucking on the jewelry item can result in a high level of exposure to the element.
- Cadmium is No. 7 on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s priority list of 275 most hazardous substances in the environment.
- Cadmium is associated with potential developmental deficiencies, including delayed sensory-motor development, hormonal effects and altered behavior. It is a known carcinogen. Childhood exposure can result in adverse health effects later in adulthood because the metal accumulates in the body.
- Cadmium should be banned from children’s jewelry.
Updated: 04/15/2010
