Department Of Health Warns Families Of Lead In Children's Jewelry

Children's Jewelry Recall

The New Mexico Health Department warns families that children's jewelry in several New Mexico's stores have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) due to a lead poisoning hazard.

The products are:

"Kidsite" necklace and earring sets sold at Kmart

Mood necklaces sold at Accessories Palace

Various necklaces sold at Claire's Stores

"Claudia Jublot" children's rings sold at Big Lots! Stores

Religious fish necklaces from Oriental Trading Company

Cardinal Distributing bracelets, necklaces and rings

Various rings sold at Family Dollar Stores

Various metal key chains from Dollar General

Mood necklaces sold at Accessories Palace

"Groovy Grabber" bracelets from A&A Global Industries

Butterfly necklaces from U.S. Toy Co.

Mood necklaces from Rhode Island Novelty

Additional lead-containing items such as toys and clothing have also been recently recalled.

"If you find these products in your home please take them away from your children and contact the manufacture for a refund," said C. Mack Sewell, the Department's state epidemiologist. "Lead is especially harmful to young children as their developing bodies are very susceptible to the damaging In the past few years, there has been increased awareness of lead in children's jewelry. In 2006, CPSC issued twelve recalls of lead-containing children's jewelry. Young children can developed elevated blood lead levels from swallowing or sucking on leaded jewelry items, or sucking on hands and fingers that handled lead-containing items.

A New Mexico child was lead poisoned last year from sucking on and handling a key chain decoration that contained lead.

Although death from lead poisoning is rare in the United States, a child in Minnesota died the same year after swallowing a lead-containing charm that came with a pair of Reebok shoes. The CPSC is in the process of issuing a ban of all toy jewelry containing more than .06 percent lead by weight. Even small amounts of lead in children can cause brain and nerve damage, which can result in the lowering of a child's IQ, and cause learning and behavioral problems, Sewell said. Higher levels of lead can cause hearing and kidney problems. Lead is also harmful to a developing fetus and pregnant woman should be concerned about present or past exposure to lead.

Parents of children who may have been exposed to these products should consult with their health care provider about having a blood test to determine their lead level. Children's blood lead levels of 10 micrograms per deciliter or higher warrant attention from the New Mexico Department of Health, Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.