Feb 4, 2005 9:18 am US/Central
New Standards For Lead In Kids' Jewelry
(WCCO)
Kids' jewelry will now have to be tested for lead, the government announced Thursday. New standards say jewelry can have no more lead than can be found in paint.
"The report from WCCO was very helpful in bringing to our attention some jewelry we believe had excessive amounts of lead in it," said Hal Stratton, chairman of the Consumer Product and Safety Commission.
Last May, the I-TEAM revealed dangerous levels of lead in kids' jewelry.
Colton Burkhart was poisoned by a 25-cent piece of jewelry from a gumball machine after he swallowed the pendant.
"He had to go through a horrendous, horrifying pain because of something so small," said Kara Burkhart, Colton's mom.
The pendant was 40 percent lead. The I-TEAM tested jewelry found in gumball machines and retail stores and the results triggered a government investigation.
Last July, the government recalled 150 million pieces of jewelry because of high levels of lead.
"Our guidelines here are designed, so if there's a problem, we can remedy that problem," said Stratton.
If you are concerned about the jewelry your children may have, the CPSC said you should throw out the jewelry. In many cases, all it takes is for a child to suck on a piece of jewelry or even handle it for he or she to be exposed to lead.
Colton Burkhart still has high levels of lead in his blood, even though it's been more than a year since he first became ill.
Kara Burkhart hopes the government's changes mean no child will have to go though the pain her son has suffered.
(WCCO)
VIDEO: Terri Gruca reports.
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