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Made in 1875
"So I ordered this shipment of lead from China, and when it arrived I found that it was contaminated with toys and pet food!"
Once again, particularly if you have children, avoid buying things made in China. This time it's not lead - it's cadmium! Even more toxic!
Barred from using lead in children's jewelry because of its toxicity, some Chinese manufacturers have been substituting the more dangerous heavy metal cadmium in sparkling charm bracelets and shiny pendants being sold throughout the United States, an Associated Press investigation shows.
The most contaminated piece analyzed in lab testing performed for the AP contained a startling 91 percent cadmium by weight...
...On the CDC's priority list of 275 most hazardous substances in the environment, cadmium ranks No. 7.
And, of course, their best domestic accomplice...
Three flip flop bracelet charms sold at Walmart contained between 84 and 86 percent cadmium. The charms fared the worst of any item on the stomach acid test; one shed more cadmium in 24 hours than what World Health Organization guidelines deem a safe exposure over 60 weeks for a 33-pound child....
"We consistently seek to sell only those products that meet safety and regulatory standards," Wal-Mart said. "Currently there is no required cadmium standard for children's jewelry."
An infuriating statement which is surprisingly common!
Two charms on a "Best Friends" bracelet bought at Claire's, a jewelry chain with nearly 3,000 stores in North America and Europe, consisted of 89 and 91 percent cadmium. The charms also leached alarming amounts in the simulated stomach test. Informed of the results, Claire's issued a statement pointing out that children's jewelry is not required to pass a cadmium leaching test.
Remember, if it's not illegal, it's okay! We've outsourced all moral responsibility to the government - and then fought to weaken or eliminate standards wherever possible!
I'd grouse about China, but they couldn't do it without their equally amoral buddies over here. DIAF, Wal-Mart.