Little girls love jewellery. At least my two girls do. And, well-meaning friends and relatives have kept them well-supplied with bling. But just when we thought the costume jewellery aisles were getting cleaned up – thanks to U.S. legislation restricting lead in jewellery – there’s a new metal showing up in Made In China kids’ products that poses potentially a greater threat to children’s health. Cadmium is a naturally occurring element, appearing in tiny amounts in soil. It’s the amount of cadmium that an investigation by Associated Press found in children’s costume jewellery that has health advocates so alarmed. Indeed, some pieces tested contained 91% cadmium by weight, according to this MSNBC article.

Cadmium builds up for decades in the kidneys, making even small amounts potentially dangerous for growing bodies. It’s also a  known carcinogen. And certainly deserves no place in children’s products.

The products were sold at (surprise, surprise!) Wal-Mart, Claire’s and some dollar stores.