Deadly poison found in children’s jewellery

[Nomad559]

Deadly poison found in children’s jewellery

Source: Times Online

Britain’s biggest toy store, and the high-street fashion chain Monsoon have been selling children’s jewellery imported from China containing levels of lead that can potentially cause brain damage and even kill.

Of 24 items of children’s jewellery bought in London and Birmingham, eight tested positive for high levels of lead. Six items had one or more components with more than 80% lead, compared with a recommended international safety limit of 0.06%. Among the items that had high levels of the metal were two from Hamleys in Regent Street, central London, including a £4.99 bracelet with heart shapes containing more than 93% lead, and two from Monsoon Accessorize, including a £4 pink skull and crossbones that contained more than 58% lead.

Paul Currie, trading director at Hamleys, yesterday announced an immediate investigation and the withdrawal from sale of the two products that tested positive for lead. “High levels of lead in children’s jewellery are totally unacceptable because this is a product that comes into contact with children,” he said.

Read more: http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article2284276.ece