Consumers warned of high levels of lead and cadmium in some children's jewellery

Children can ingest harmful amounts of these metals when they chew, suck or swallow jewellery items that contain them. Lead and cadmium are very toxic to children even at low exposure levels. Simply wearing a jewellery item with lead and/or cadmium does not present a serious risk to health because there is minimal lead absorption through the skin.

Chemical hazard

If you suspect your children's jewellery may contain lead or cadmium, throw it out in your regular household garbage. Consumers can also contact their municipality for instructions on disposing items containing lead. Do not give young children adult jewellery to wear or play with; it may contain lead or other heavy metals. Do not allow children to suck or chew on any jewellery. If your child has sucked or chewed regularly on jewellery which you think may contain lead or cadmium, ask your doctor to test your child's blood for lead or other heavy metals. A child who swallows a jewellery item containing lead is at high risk of developing severe poisoning. Contact an emergency medical service if you believe your child has swallowed an item containing lead or cadmium. Check for product recalls by contacting the retailer, manufacturer or Health Canada at Consumer Product Recalls . Additional information on lead in jewellery can be found on-line on the Industry Guide to Canadian Requirements for Children's Jewellery .