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Newsletter Toxic Jewelry
- 1. Toxic Metals in Jewelry Testing for Cadmium and Lead According to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and the Center for Environmental Health (CEH), a formal complaint was filed against 16 businesses that have allegedly been supplying retailers, and consumers, jewelry containing high levels of lead and cadmium. This resulted in the violation of California’s Metal-Containing Jewelry Law, where the analysis, conducted by the DTSC Environmental Chemistry Lab found over 340 jewelry items exceeding the legal limit of metals cadmium and lead by as much as 1,000 times the legal limits in California. Majority of these tests were conducted on inexpensive jewelry obtain from costume, retail, discount, and dollar stores nationwide. Some toxic jewelry, that’s been tested, had labels claiming to be “lead free.” Many consumers are unaware of these harmful metals due to venders and distributors using misleading statements, false advertisement claims, and engaging in fraudulent business practices in violation of the state’s Proposition 65 Law. Background
- 2. TOXIC METALS IN JEWELRY TESTING FOR CADMIUM AND LEAD | 2 California’s Metal- Containing Jewelry Law The Department ofToxic Substances Control(DTSC) is responsible for enforcingCalifornia’s Law to protect children and adults fromexposureto lead andcadmium in jewelry. What does this law do? Restricts the amountof lead in jewelry by identifying what materials may be used and setting lead concentration thresholds that may not be exceeded. Restricts the amountof cadmium allowed in children’s jewelry Prohibits personsfrom manufacturing,shipping,selling, or offeringforsale jewelry for retail sale, or forpromotional purposes,in California unless the Lead and Cadmium restrictions are met. Who Does This Law Apply to? Businesses ofall sizes are subjectto butnot limited to: Large Retail Stores Online Stores and Websites DiscountStores Bead Shopsand Craft Stores Gift Shopsand Souvenir Stores Vending Machines Personal and/orPrivate Jewelry Crafters Video Arcades Mail Order Companies All jewelry is set forth in the law and all children’s jewelry is subjectto the cadmium restriction set forthin the law. Penalties A person whoviolates the law may be subjectto civil penalties upto $2,500 per day per violation. A manufactureror supplier establishment that knowingly manufactures,ships,sells, or offers forpromotion jewelry in violation of the law may be finedbetween $5,000and$100,000,imprisoned up to ayear,or both. Jewelry Classifications California lead and cadmium regulations forjewelry cover a matrix ofmaterials comprisingjewelry, jewelry components, their contact pattern with the user,and the age of the user. Underthis law, jewelry means any of the following ornaments wornby a person: anklets, arm cuffs,bracelets, brooches,chains,crowns,cufflinks, tie clips, hair accessories,earrings, necklaces, rings,pins, bodypiercing jewelry and jewelryplaced in the mouthfor display or ornamentation. It also means any bead, chain,link, pendant orother componentofan ornament specified as well as charms,beads, chains, links or pendants attachedto shoes or clothes that canbe removed or a watchin a whicha timepiece is a componentofan ornament, excludingthe timepiece itself if the timepiece canbe removed fromthe ornament. Listed below are materials categorized bya specific class and type of jewelry.This law states that whena specific type jewelry fits these parameters it mustbe made from oneor more of the following within each class. State Law and Regulations
- 3. Materials Required for Jewelry, by Type of Jewelry Jewelry Type Note: Materials Required--Jewelry Must be Made Entirely From One or More of the Materials Listed for Each Jewelry Type Children’s Jewelry (Made for, marketed for, use by, or marketed for children ages6 and younger.) A nonmetallic class1material* A nonmetallic class2material* A metallicmaterialthatiseither aclass1 material*orcontains<0.06%(600 ppm) leadby weight. Glass or crystaldecorative componentsthat weighintotalnomore than 1 gram,excludingany glassor crystaldecorative componentthat contains <0.02% (200ppm) leadby weight and has not intentionally addedlead. Printingink or ceramic glaze that contains<0.06%(600ppm) leadby weight. Class3 material*that contains<0.02%(200ppm) leadby weight Body Piercing Jewelry (Any part of jewelry that is manufactured or sold for placement in a new piercing or a mucous membrane) Surgicalimplant stainlesssteel Surgicalimplant grade oftitanium Niobium(Nb) Solid14 karat or higher white or yellownickel-freegold Solidplatinum Dense low-porosity plastic,including,but not limitedto, Tygonor Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),ifthe plastic containsnointentionally added lead. All other Jewelry Class1 material* Class2 material* Class3 material* Class 1 Materials* Stainless or surgical steel; karat gold; sterling silver; platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, or osmium; Natural orcultured pearls; Glass, ceramic, orcrystal decorative components, including cat’s eye, cubic zirconia, cubic zirconium(CZ), rhinestones, and cloisonné; Gemstones cut and polished for ornamental purposes(excluding aragonite, bayldonite, boleite, cerussite, crocoite, ekanite, linarite, mimetite, phosgenite, samarskite, vanadinite, and wulfenite); Elastic, fabric, ribbon, rope, or string (unlessit contains intentionally added lead and is listed as a class 2material); All natural decorative material, including amber, bone,coral, feathers, fur, horn, leather, shell, wood, that is in its natural state and is not treated in a way that adds lead; and Adhesive. Class 2 Materials* Electroplated metal: o On and beforeAugust30, 2009, a metal alloy<10% lead by weight electroplated with suitable underand finish coats. o After August31, 2009, a metal alloy<6% lead by weight electroplated with suitable under and finish coats; Unplated metal <1.5% lead not otherwise listed as a class 1 material; Plastic orrubber, including acrylic, polystyrene, plastic beads and stones, and polyvinyl chloride(PVC): o On and beforeAugust30, 2009, <0.06% (600 ppm)lead by weight o After August31, 2009, <0.02% (200 ppm)lead by weight; and A dye or surfacecoating containing <0.06% (600 ppm) lead byweight. Class 3 Materials* Any portion of jewelry that meets both of the following criteria: Not a class 1 orclass 2 material Contains <0.06% (600ppm) lead byweight Note that Class 2and Class 3 materials carry lead restrictions. *Pursuant to Health and Safety Code sub-sections(e), (f), and (g) of section 25214.1
- 4. TOXIC METALS IN JEWELRY TESTING FOR CADMIUM AND LEAD | 4 ELEMENTS IN THEIR PURE STATE Cadmium Cadmium is a soft bluish-white metal that resembles zinc in various ways. The metal and its compounds are toxic and should be handled with care. Cadmium is used in fusible alloys that melt at low temperature. Lead Lead is a soft, malleable and heavy post- transition metal. Metallic lead has a bluish- white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed to air. Lead has a shiny chrome- silver luster when it is melted into a liquid. It is also the heaviest non-radioactive element. The ATSDR 2013 Substance Priority List 7 Cadmium ranks number 7out of 275 hazardous substances in the environment. 2 Lead ranks number 2 out of 275 hazardous substances in the environment. Source: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/spl/ Cadmium Cadmium is an inorganic bluish- white element that naturally occurs within the earth’s crust. It is usually foundas a mineral combinedwith other elements suchas oxygen, chlorine, orsulfur. Most cadmium used in the United States is extracted duringthe productionof other metals like zinc,lead, and copperwhere concentrationsand toxicity tend to be higher. Cadmium does notcorrodeeasily andhas many uses, includingbatteries, pigments, metal coatings,and plastics. How Is It Used InJewelry? In children’s jewelry, cadmium is used to make the coating of jewelry shiny and to add weight and mass to each piece. Lead Lead is a naturally occurringbluish- gray metal foundin small amountsin the earth's crust.Lead canbe found in all parts ofour environment.Much ofit comesfrom humanactivities includingburningfossil fuels, mining, and manufacturing.Lead has many different uses.It is used in the productionofbatteries, ammunition, metal products(solder and pipes),and devices to shield X- rays. Becauseof health concerns, lead fromgasoline, paints and ceramic products,caulking,andpipe solder has been dramatically reducedin recent years. How Is It Used InJewelry Lead has oftenbeen used in jewelry, to make the article heavier, brighten colors,and to stabilize orsoften plastic. What is Cadmium and Lead?
- 5. Toxic Chemicals Found in Jewelry Can Cause Health Problems Cadmium and Lead appears onthe Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancerand reproductiveharm. Exposure Inhalationofcrushedparticles Ingestionfrom placing cadmium tainted productsinmouth. Neither Cadmium norlead can absorb throughtheskin Cadmium Cadmium is a heavy metal of considerable toxicity as it concentratesin the kidney, liver and various otherorgans andis considered more toxic than either lead ormercury. Ten to fifty percentof inhaled cadmium dustis absorbed, depending onparticle size. Absorptionthroughskin contactis negligible. Aboutfive to ten percent ofingested Cdis absorbed,also depending onparticle size. Impacts Cancer EndocrineDisruption Bone Loss Kidney and Pulmonary Effects Irritation of the Digestive Tract (Stomach,Intestines, etc.) Vomiting and Diarrhea Death Lead Lead is a toxic metal, which doesn't break down in the environment and accumulatesin ourbody. High levels oflead have been foundin jewelry, especially inexpensive children’s jewelry. Impacts Behavioral Problems Learning Disabilities Jointand muscle weakness Anemia OrganFailure Headaches Irritation of the Digestive Tract Hyperactivity Death Childrenare More Susceptible to these HealthEffects! Children are more susceptible to adverse health effectsbecause their bodies are growingquickly and their brains are still developing. Lead containingjewelry poses a particular concernbecausechildren often place jewelryin their mouths, whichcanresult in lead absorption at dangerouslevels or very serious health effectsif the jewelry is accidentally swallowed. FUN FACTS 5%-10% Cadmium is absorbed from ingestion of particles depending on its size. 143,000 Lead exposure is estimated to account for 143,000 deaths per year with the highest burden in developing regions. 600,000 Childhood lead exposure is estimated to contribute to about 600,000 new cases of children developing intellectual disabilities every year. 0.005ppm The EPA has determined that lifetime exposure to 0.005 ppm cadmium is not expected to cause any adverseeffects. FOR MORE INFORMATION / SOURCES http://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2013/39465 2/ http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp5.hhtml http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs3 79/en/ Why Should We Care?
- 6. Now that you’re aware of the safety, hazards, and penalties of handling jewelry with toxic metals, let us assist you in protecting your brand/business by providing compliance testing techniques to help meet state requirements for your company. Whether you need jewelry components analyzed to determine compliance with specific federal or state requirements, metal analysis on jewelry components, and findings our laboratory is ready to serve you! As a certified environmental laboratory, we’re capable of testing various jewelry ornaments for the presence of Lead and Cadmium for various businesses using a high tech ICP-OES. All analyses are conducted using certified EPA methods 3050b and 3051A as required by the Department of Toxic Substances Control’s Metal-Containing Jewelry Law. At a low cost, we’re able to conduct these tests and provide results within a week of the analysis. Sources to Inquire! California’s Metal Containing Law https://www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/Jewelry/upload/Jewelry-Fact-Sheet.pdf World Health Organization (WHO) – Lead Toxicity http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs379/en/ Centers for Disease Control – Cadmium http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/TF.asp?id=47&tid=15 The Scientific World Journal- Cadmium Toxicity http://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2013/394652/ CA OEHHA- Proposition 65 List http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/Newlist.html What We Do! Contact Us for a Free Estimate Today!!! Address: 11007 Forest Place Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 Phone Number 562 - 646 - 1611 714 - 449 – 9937 Email info@jonesenv.com