Product Safety News: High Levels of Cadmium Prompt Recall of Children’s Jewelry

July 1, 2010
3:26 pm

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Product Safety News: High Levels of Cadmium Prompt Recall of Children’s Jewelry

06/30/2010 // West Palm Beach, FL, USA // Sandra Quinlan // Sandra Quinlan

Spartanburg, SC—SmileMakers Inc., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), recalled Children’s Happy Charm Bracelets and Football Rings due to high levels of cadmium. Approximately 66,200 charm bracelets and 2,200 rings are subject to the recall, which was announced Wednesday, June 30, 2010.

The Happy Charm Bracelets and Football Rings were recalled after it was discovered that the metal substrate in the children’s jewelry contains excessive levels of cadmium. Children run the risk of suffering adverse health effects if they accidentally ingest the chemical element.

Cadmium was ranked at number seven on the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR)’s 2007 CERCLA Priority List of Hazardous Substances. No injuries or negative incidents have been reported in connection with the recalled children’s jewelry as of yet.

According to the CPSC, “This recall involves ‘Happy’ charm bracelets and football rings. The ‘Happy’ charm bracelet is comprised of colorful beads on a small elastic band to which a metal charm in the shape of a butterfly, moon or sun is attached. The football ring is a small adjustable metal band to which a football charm (made of metal) is attached.”

The product was imported by Toy Network, of Indianola, Iowa and Fun Express Oriental Trading Company, of Omaha, Nebraska. Also, they were made available in doctor and dentist offices nationwide from June 2005 through March 2010. The Children’s Happy Charm Bracelets and Football Rings were handed out for free.

Consumers have been urged to confiscate the jewelry from children and dispose of them immediately.

SmileMakers can be contacted toll-free at (877) 390-5470 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET for more information concerning the recall. Consumers may also feel free to visit the firm’s Web site at www.smilemakers.com, or conteact the company via e-mail at [email protected].