Minnesota to Be the First State to Band Cadmium in Children’s Jewelry
According to MJSA...Minnesota has become the first state to ban cadmium in children's jewelry, according to MJSA (Manufacturing Jewelers Suppliers of America).
The state law limits the toxic metal to 75 parts per million in any surface coating or accessible substrate of a piece of jewelry. It went into effect for manufacturers on products they sell after Jan. 1. It becomes effective for retailers offering children's jewelry for sale after March 1.
Companies are required to measure the amount of cadmium in jewelry using ASTM standard F 963, according to the new Minnesota law. The standard contains a testing protocol that measures the amount that a heavy metal, such as cadmium, can "migrate" or leach out of a sample of jewelry over a two-hour period, when the sample is immersed in a solution that simulates digestive acid. Because children's exposure to cadmium usually occurs when they suck, chew, or swallow metal jewelry, the test works to replicate these conditions.
A similar law in Illinois will go into effect on July 1. Like Minnesota, Illinois will similarly limit cadmium to 75 ppm, using the ASTM F 963 testing protocol.
Two other states, California and Connecticut, have also passed legislation banning cadmium in children's jewelry, but those laws will not take effect until 2012 and 2014, respectively.
For more information on cadmium in jewelry, click here.
By: JCKonline
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