Lead In Walmart, Target Kids Jewelry

The Good Housekeeping Research Institute found that children’s jewelry sold at Walmart and Target has excessive levels of lead and cadmium, among other heavy metals.

In fact, they found that all seven pieces of jewelry from these two retailers that they tested greatly exceeded the government’s lead limit allowed for children’s products, including a stud earring which contained 124 times the permissible level, and a Disney-branded earring that contained 47 times the government-mandated limit. 124 times! In the words of my toddler, “that’s a lot a lot a lot!” In addition, most pieces contained cadmium, which has been the culprit in a number of recent jewelry recalls.

The jewelry is marked that it is not supposed to be given to children under 7, 12 and 14 on the packaging, but it is clearly designed for younger girls. And, the real risk is when kids put the jewelry in their mouths, as ALL kids are wont to do. Let’s face it, it happens.

The recommendation is to NOT buy the jewelry and we stand by that. Better safe than sorry. Yes, it is fun to buy girls jewelry, but maybe best to buy something a little less – how can I say this? – toxic. Or not at all. Kids don’t need jewelry to feel special and look adorned. They are beautiful just the way they are.

If you’d like to read the full advisory, here is the link to Good Housekeeping.

photo credit: Essco Safety Check