Imported children's jewelry may pose cancer risk
Chinese authorities have promised to “clamp down” on manufactures after dangerously high levels cadmium was found in children’s jewelry products sold in the United States. In January 2010, The Associated Press conducted an investigation in to more than 100 items of inexpensive children’s jewelry manufactured in China. The study revealed that more than 10% of the products tested contained dangerous levels of cadmium. Cadmium is a white metal, commonly used in batteries, metal coatings and plastics. Cadmium has been linked to certain types of cancer and it is also known to cause cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and kidney disease. Each year thousands of children in the United States are injured or poisoned by dangerous or defective toys imported from abroad, including those from China.
