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Wal-mart, Claire Pull out Children’s Jewelry Tainted with Toxic Metal

January 12, 2010

Los Angeles - After a test was conducted showing high levels of hazardous metals in some children’s jewelry imported from China, chain stores Wal-Mart Inc. and Claire Inc. said they will stop selling such products to protect US consumers.

In a press release, Claire officials said they will pull out some low-priced bracelets, charms, and pendants with high levels of cadmium in nearly 3,000 stores from North America and Europe.

The international chain store also said they will allow customers to return the products despite that the federal government has not yet announced a recall.

Because lead has been banned in most countries including the US, some Chinese manufacturers are using cadmium which is cheaper and more abundant. However, this metal which naturally occurs in soil has been found to be more hazardous than lead as it corrodes easier.

Cadmium has been found to cause cancer and kidney-related illnesses.

Meanwhile, Wal-Mart Spokeswoman Melissa Hill said the retail giant “decided to take swift action since the laboratory findings are troubling”.

“We have a special responsibility to our consumers and that is what we are doing”, Hill said.

In response to the issue, a Chinese official said the government will investigate the products which have been tainted with cadmium.

During a conference in Hong Kong on Tuesday, Wang Xin, director general of China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, said he will spearhead the investigation that will target the manufacturers of the said products.

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