Economic Times, India

Economic Times, India
Boston Globe, United States
By Stephen Smith, Globe Staff

Massachusetts health regulators voted unanimously today to ban necklaces, rings, and other childhood trinkets that contain dangerous amounts of lead. The regulation on children’s jewelry is believed to be the most stringent in the nation and reflects a desire to protect children from a substance that can cause long-term medical problems.

“Swallowing these jewelry items has caused serious injury and death,” said Suzanne Condon, director of the state’s Bureau of Environmental Health.

The regulation, approved by the Public Health Council, goes into effect in June and covers lead-containing jewelry sold in stores and through the Internet and catalogues. The sellers of such products will be required to keep on hand detailed information about the contents of the jewelry and to share it with state inspectors. Violators of the ban could face fines from $100 to $500.

For more on lead in toys, see this Globe story.

Post Author: Indonesia Jewelry