Cadmium is a silver colored metal that is a by-product of smelting zinc, copper and lead. It is used primarily in batteries, solder, and metal plating, but recent testing has found that cadmium is being used in imported jewelry for children. This jewelry for little girls is primarily imported from China.
There is some cadmium in cigarettes, and some in the soil, but this new danger to children should be avoided, since cadmium builds in the body like lead poisoning, and the results are much more severe.
Instructions
1. Know the danger.
Be alert to the potential for cadmium poisoning in children. Do not let children suck on charms or jewelry or any metal parts of toys. Cadmium is not easily absorbed by the skin, but may also be in the air. Do not allow children to play with batteries, particularly nickel-cadmium batteries.
2. Recognize the results of cadmium in the human body.
Review the literature showing that cadmium causes cancer, degenerative bone loss, respiratory problems and potential renal failure. Like lead poisoning, cadmium poisoning hinders brain development in the young.
3. Protect children from cadmium poisoning.
Choose your approach. Destroy all metal charms and jewelry from China. Get a test kit for cadmium for constant vigilance. There are field test swabs available as well as personal tests to test exposure levels. Do not purchase jewelry items like bracelets and charms that you know are imported, and do not purchase these items on the secondary market if you do not know where the parts and findings are made.
4. Avoid the possibility of cadmium poisoning.
Take charge of this issue, since there is no regulation by our Federal government for imported jewelry containing cadmium. Purchase jewelry for little girls that is made in the USA, with the metal content clearly displayed.
Tags: cadmium poisoning, charms jewelry, from China, imported jewelry, jewelry little