Cadmium found in US toys : News : KHQA
by Chad Douglas
(AP) -- Be on the lookout for more dangerous toys from China.
The problem is not lead this time, but something worse.
Toy makers overseas are using an element called cadmium as a replacement to lead, which has been banned for American toys.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention labels cadmium as the 7th most dangerous compound in the environment.
It is in the environment already, so most everyone does get exposure to it, but if you can avoid it, you should.
That's why the Consumer Product Safety Commission is launching an investigation into companies that use cadmium in products.
Some of the toys that have already tested positive for cadmium are costume jewelery and toys from the Disney movie "The Princess and the Frog."
KHQA spoke with a doctor today about cadmium poisoning and its symptoms.
"Until you start developing some of the renal issues and those sorts of things, you may not have symptoms," says Dr. Lance Real with Quincy Medical Group.
At this point, Dr. Lance Real with Quincy Medical Group says there's no large call for alarm, but just be aware of the danger.
Cadmium can lead to a host of problems including kidney failure, brain development problems, and lung cancer.
From the Associated Press:
LOS ANGELES - Chinese manufacturers have been banned from using lead in children's jewelry, so some have started switching to an even more dangerous toxin.
An Associated Press investigation finds the heavy metal cadmium in charm bracelets, shiny pendants and movie tie-in products being sold throughout the United States.
Lab tests show one tainted trinket had as much as 91 percent cadmium by weight.
The jewelry items were purchased New York, Ohio, Texas and California.
The tests show that some pieces easily shed the heavy metal, raising additional concerns about the levels of exposure to children.
Cadmium is a known carcinogen.
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