Baltimore Cracks Down On Lead Jewelry Sales
WJZ, MD
(WJZ) WASHINGTON In Baltimore Jewelry is only a couple of quarters away.
Alex DeMetrick reports when spot checks found heavy concentrations of lead in those trinkets…
“The Baltimore City Health Department proposed an and then promulgated regulations on children’s jewelry on December 7, 2006” said Olivia Farrow of Baltimore Environmental Health.
Baltimore’s assistant commissioner for environmental health was among the witnesses called to Capitol Hill to testify about toys made in China and India containing unsafe quantities of lead.
Experts urged independent inspections of those products oversees and here before they reach children.
“Hey this is happening in Baltimore, we had to enact a regulation to uh help address the issue and also we are urging the federal government to step forward and place stricter regulations on the import of lead tainted jewelry,” said Farrow.
In jewelry found with lead, a violation notice is given and a retailer has 24 hours to pull his merchandise.
Failure to do so results in misdemeanor charges, and fines of $1,000 per violation. So far this year, ten retailers in Baltimore have been found selling lead jewelry.
“I think what we’re doing should send a message to manufacturers. There’s no reason that children’s toys should contain a poison like led,” said Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Joshoua Sharfstein.
Going after the danger beneath the glitter is more than any one city can handle, but while congress works to tighten the rules, Baltimore is doing what it can.
“But even one child poisoned is one too many and stricter federal regulations on products for children is urgently needed,” said Farrow.
In testing for lead in toy jewelry Baltimore’s Health Department found it most often in low income areas.
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