New warnings about an old problem: toxic chemicals in toys

New reports indicate there may be another safety hazard concerning toys manufactured in China. The issue this time is the presence of cadmium, a highly toxic heavy metal which has been found in high levels in some cheap metal jewelry.

Like lead, cadmium can hinder brain development in children and even cause cancer, according to recent research.

The danger has prompted the head of the Consumer Products Safety Commission to issue a warning advising parents to take cheap metal jewelry away from children.

Over the past couple of years, a number of toy recalls due to high levels of lead have received a lot of media attention. Toxicologists at Children’s, however, explained that the actual risk of harm was relatively small.

Still, parents should know that swallowing, sucking on or chewing a metal charm or necklace could result in exposure to lead, cadmium or other heavy metals.

The first thing parents can do is check recalls listed on the CPSC Web site. If you see any of your children's toys on the list, get rid of them. If you are still concerned about cadmium exposure, talk to your pediatrician.

For more information, Children’s has a page about poisonings and even features a list of links to other resources on the Web.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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