“Kids' jewelry recalled over lead concerns”

Kids' jewelry recalled over lead concerns

Posted: 28 May 2010 01:06 PM PDT

The Iron Cross necklace (Health Canada)Nearly 65,000 pieces of children's jewelry sold at dollar stores across Canada are being recalled because they might contain excessive levels of lead.

The recall affects Kool Charmz necklaces and charms and Iron Cross necklaces sold since 2004 and Time 4 Crafts necklace-making kits sold since 2007.

The tainted jewelry was made in China and imported to Canada by Canasia Toys & Gifts of Vaughn, Ont.

In children, high levels of lead can lead to impaired intellectual development, behaviour problems, stunted growth and poor hearing.

In pregnant women, lead exposure can result in stillbirths or miscarriages.

Symptoms of lead poisoning include loss of appetite, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue, irritability, headache and problems sleeping.

Kook Charmz interchangeable charm (Health Canada)Children can ingest harmful amounts of lead when they chew, suck or swallow jewelry products that contain lead.

The recall includes:

Iron Cross necklace. It's black with a metallic clasp and silver pendant with a purple cross on it. The label on the product claims it's lead- and nickel-free.
Time 4 Crafts necklace-making kits. This kit comes with a silver coloured chain and a variety of charms.
Kool Charmz necklace. This is a black-corded necklace with metallic cube beads. Each bead has a letter on it and together they spell "Darling."
Kool Charmz interchangeable charm. This is a blue charm in the shape of a shoe with a metallic clasp.

Parents should immediately take these items away from children and return them to the point of purchase or dispose of them.