Once again, products coming from China are found to contain a deadly poison. In this case it is inexpensive children’s jewelry sold at Walmart’s and Claire’s which has been found to contain cadmium which is being used as a cheap replacement for lead which has been outlawed. The normal replacement metal used is zinc, but because of plummeting cadmium prices, factories in China have switched to the more dangerous metal.

Cadmium is a highly dangerous metal. It is a known carcinogen and can prevent brain development in children. Items made with cadmium easily shed the poison especially when placed in the mouth. Since cadmium is not restricted in the use of jewelry there is no recall even though it is outlawed in the use of painted toys and is considered a toxic waste. Some of the charms purchased from Walmart’s contained more than 80% cadmium. There is no effective treatment to remove cadmium from the body because it binds strongly to a blood borne protein.

The solution is very simple. Don’t shop at Walmart’s. Don’t buy cheap jewelry from China. Buy American made products. They may be more expensive but they are much safer and help keep American workers at work.