Vermont fights to get lead out; state settles with discount retailer over toxic jewelry

[cali]

MONTPELIER — A “Sassy and Chic” watch that Dollar Tree stores once sold for less than a dollar in Vermont contained 483,672 parts per million of lead — 1,600 times the federal cap for the amount of lead in children’s products.

A glittery rhinestone decoration on a ponytail band from Dollar Tree contained 49,484 parts per million of lead, when the federal limit is 300 parts per million.

Dangly earrings: 447,539 parts per million of cadmium, another toxic metal that federal regulation says is safe in surface treatments at a maximum concentration of 75 parts per million.

A “Sassy and Chic” necklace: 22,751 parts per million of cadmium and 152,132 parts per million lead.

These toxicity findings prompted the Vermont Attorney General’s Office to pursue and achieve a legal agreement with Dollar Tree Inc. that removed these items from store shelves and prevents similar items from being sold in the future. Dollar Tree, based in Chesapeake, Va., operates 3,806 discount variety stores, including six in Vermont.

This is the state’s second settlement with a retail giant over the distribution and sale of cheap metal items that pose serious hazards for children. In December 2008, the state reached a settlement with Ganz USA, a distributor of charms and metal trinkets. Vermont also was party to a multi-state settlement with Mattel Inc. and Fisher Price Inc. regarding the selling of toys with high lead levels in exterior coatings.

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http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100208/NEWS02/100207013/Vermont-fights-to-get-lead-out-state-settles-with-discount-retailer-over-toxic-jewelry