Lead Levels Prompt Recall of Children’s Jewelry

May 2007

The United States Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued two immediate recalls for jewelry sold through vending machines across the country. These items, sold for 25 cents from machines often placed at malls and supermarkets, contain toxic materials that could cause lead poisoning in the young children that wear them.

The first recall pertains to items imported by Spandrel Sales and Marketing. These bracelets and necklaces are branded as “Charmed” designer jewelry with assorted charms or “Crossed” chains featuring silver cross charms.

The second recall involves children’s rings imported by Cardinal Distributing. These small silver colored bands come with a turquoise colored stone on top surrounded by a ring of silver balls.

The products may have been sold through vending machines as early as 2002 and as recent as April 2007. The high levels of lead detected in the items may cause adverse health effects if ingested by children.