Toy Jewelry Is Recalled Over Lead-Poisoning Risk
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A Chatsworth company is voluntarily recalling about 6 million children’s necklaces and zipper pulls that pose a serious risk of lead poisoning, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.
The painted metal jewelry contains high amounts of lead, which can be toxic if swallowed. There have been no reports of incidents or injuries associated with the Chinese-made jewelry sold by Stravina Operating Co.
“Anytime we find items with lead in them, we take a special interest,” commission Chairman Hal Stratton said at a news conference in Washington.
Studies have found that even small amounts of lead ingested by children can cause neurological damage or behavioral and learning problems.
The government in February set an acceptable level for lead in children’s jewelry sold mainly at discount stores and in vending machines. Concerns about lead resulted last year in the largest toy recall in U.S. history, 150 million pieces of jewelry by four importers. The four supplied nearly all vending machine jewelry.
The safety commission announced the latest recall after Stravina alerted it that the two products contained lead, commission spokeswoman Julie Vallese said. Company representatives did not return two phone calls seeking comment.
Stravina’s necklaces are silver in color, with individual names painted in a variety of colors, and attached to a 16-inch cord. The necklace packaging reads “Personalized Necklace” and “Stravina.” The packaging is marked with UPC code 0-35203-00039-7.
The recalled zipper pulls include nameplates similar to those on the necklaces but hang from a silver-colored metal clip designed to attach to backpacks, key rings or zippers. The packaging reads “Personalized Zipper Pull,” “Great for Backpacks and Keyrings too” and “Stravina.” The packaging is marked with UPC code 0-35203-00038-0.
The jewelry was sold through discount, party, grocery and drugstores from March 2002 through September.
Customers who want a free replacement product can call Stravina at (800) 964-0029.
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