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CPSC, Wal-Mart act on cadmium report

By Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 1/12/2010 9:35:00 AM

HONG KONG—Responding to reports that Chinese manufacturers of children’s jewelry were increasingly using cadmium as a replacement for lead, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is moving to investigate the substance's use in children's products.

In a taped speech that was to be delivered today at he APEC Toy Safety Initiative/Dialogue in Hong Kong, CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said the agency will develop “mandatory standards, as needed,” to deal with heavy metals such as cadmium, antimony and barium in merchandise marketed to kids.

The cadmium concerns follow an Associated Press report that on Monday revealed that tests it had performed on a sampling of children’s jewelry purchased at Wal-Mart, Dollar N More and Claire’s stores found that some of the products tested contained anywhere from 82 to 91 percent cadmium by weight.

Cadmium is a known carcinogen.

CPSC has opened a formal investigation into children’s metal jewelry identified in AP’s story to determine the action CPSC needs to take to keep children safe, CPSC said.

In a statement released yesterday, Walmart said it would remove the products cited in the report from its shelves.

“We know our customers are concerned about product safety, particularly as it relates to children's products, and so are we. We will immediately remove from sale those items identified in recent media reports regarding cadmium while our own investigation is being completed, and until more is known,” the retailer's statement said.

Wal-Mart added: “The findings in this report are troubling and as the world's largest retailer we have a responsibility to take swift action and we're doing so. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our customers and associates. We will actively participate in the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s investigation, along with suppliers and industry associations, to provide any assistance as they determine what the standards should be.”

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