Local pathologist warns about lead in costume jewelry
Capital News 9, NY
Necklaces and bracelets being worn by many of your children could kill them.
“If a child swallows a charm that has 20 percent by weight lead in it, it will go down to his or her stomach, the acid in the stomach will form a soluble salt. It will be rapidly taken up, and it can kill a child,” said DEC Wildlife Pathologist Dr. Ward Stone.
After testing several pieces of his 10-year-old daughter Montana’s jewelry, Dr. Ward Stone realized just how common lead is in costume jewelry.
Stone, a noted wildlife pathologist, originally created the test to detect lead in bullet and arrow wounds for animals. He tested about 300 pieces of costume jewelry in and around the Capital Region and found more than 60 percent contained high levels of lead.
Lead damages the nervous system, and children are the most susceptible.
“As a dad I was very concerned that my daughter could be losing her brain power, forever, by handling and playing with this jewelry,” said Stone.
Now with Dr. Stone’s findings, several advocacy groups are calling on Governor Spitzer to sign legislation to keep lead-filled jewelry off store shelves.
“The Governor apparently has some concerns that the enforcement provision in the bill are not strong enough,” said Russ Haven, NYPIRG Legislative Council. “Clearly the large retailers and business interests in the state were successful in getting a bill that, like many pieces of legislation, is a compromise.”
Governor Spitzer has little time to act. He must sign or veto the bill by Tuesday night. Whatever the outcome, advocates are pushing to have the jewelry removed immediately.
Stone said until that point, it’s up to parents.
“Take a look at what your kids have,” he said. “If you’re suspicious, take it away from them, put it some place where they can’t get it. If you think there’s been some exposure, take them to the pediatrician or a doctor.”
