Chinese imports- now with CADMIUM!

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James48843

James48843

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Chinese junk jewelry and children's toys, previously cited for lead content, have changed. This time, to something far more deadly.

The latest testing shows extreme levels of the heavy metal Cadmium in samples of kids toys and jewelry. Walmart junk tested among the worst offenders-

Toxic metal in kids' jewelry from China
AP IMPACT: With lead use barred, tests reveal toxic cadmium in children's jewelry from China

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Barred from using lead in children's jewelry because of its toxicity, some Chinese manufacturers have been substituting the more dangerous heavy metal cadmium in sparkling charm bracelets and shiny pendants being sold throughout the United States, an Associated Press investigation shows.

The most contaminated piece analyzed in lab testing performed for the AP contained a startling 91 percent cadmium by weight. The cadmium content of other contaminated trinkets, all purchased at national and regional chains or franchises, tested at 89 percent, 86 percent and 84 percent by weight. The testing also showed that some items easily shed the heavy metal, raising additional concerns about the levels of exposure to children.


More Details:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/AP-IMPACT-Toxic-metal-in-kids-apf-3612815337.html?x=0
 
We should have kept them behind the moon but the cheap labor was to addicting. How many of their kids have been poisoned?
 
Probably quite a few:
From the article: "...Jewelry industry veterans in China say cadmium has been used in domestic products there for years. Zinc, the metal most cited as a replacement for lead in imported jewelry being sold in the United States, is a much safer and nontoxic alternative..."
 
Update- Wal-mart says it's going to pull the Cadmium jewelry- but there's still a ton of it out there-

....

"Members of Congress voiced anger about the imports. Sen. Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, said he's reviewing the law that regulates such substances to decide if a fix is needed.

"Parents will be outraged to learn certain jewelry makers overseas thought they could pull a fast one at the expense of our kids' safety," said Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas, who has championed stronger rules for children's products.

Cadmium, which is known to cause cancer, is a soft, whitish metal that occurs naturally in soil. It's perhaps best known as half of rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries, but also is used in pigments, electroplating and plastic.

Cadmium is attractive to Chinese manufacturers because it is cheap and easy to work with. But, like lead, it can hinder brain development in the very young, recent research shows.

In taped remarks to be delivered Tuesday in Hong Kong, the chairwoman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urged other countries to ensure that manufacturers do not substitute cadmium, antimony or barium in place of lead in children's products.

"All of us should be committed to keeping hazardous or toxic levels of heavy metals out of ... toys and children's products," Inez Tenenbaum said in a transcript of remarks to an international toy safety conference.

Tenenbaum singled out cadmium for special vigilance and said: "Voluntary efforts will only take us so far."

(AND)

"
A cadmium specialist with the Beijing office of Asian Metal Ltd., a market research and consultancy firm, said products with cadmium are normally directed to the Chinese domestic market.

(great- THAT makes me feel better....)

"This is just the latest example of the need for stronger consumer safety laws in this country, especially for products manufactured and marketed for children, and shows yet again why products from China should be subject to additional scrutiny," said Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, a Connecticut Democrat.

"Between children's jewelry, tainted milk and contaminated pet food, China has a long record of producing unsafe products, and the U.S. should continue to be wary of all products arriving from China."

A 2008 law imposed limits on lead in children's products and sent factories rushing for substitutes. About the same time, cadmium prices dropped, in part because nickel-cadmium batteries are swiftly being replaced with newer designs."

More: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100112/ap_on_bi_ge/us_cadmium_jewelry
 
James48843 said:
Cadmium is attractive to Chinese manufacturers because it is cheap and easy to work with. But, like lead, it can hinder brain development
Click to expand...
Maybe that's the probelm with this administration..

159806_american_1.jpg
 
I used to work inspecting Cadmium parts, and never had a problem. The main thing is not to inhale the dust from machining operations or eat it. I think it could be really dangerous to children that always like to chew on their toys, this is if the item is coated with a finish that has cadmium in it and can flake off and end up in the digestive system. I was working with alloys with cadmium in it, and on occasion pure cadmium that was very expensive and the most dangerous, these toys probably have traces of cadmium in them. I never had to take precautions while handling this stuff, like wearing gloves skin protection etc.
Good move China!!
http://www.answers.com/topic/cadmium-poisoning
 
Well, actually all that on the levers is not a joke. As Nnut says, most of the time cadmium is found in places where the consumer cannot easily get to it (some types of solar cells, some times of electronic parts). However, it can be used as an additive in all sorts of metal items, including jewelery as we see here. I don't know if it could be used for door handles, I don't think it's durable enough (btw, solar cells are coated to protect from weather, and they do not get "handled" anywhere as often as jewelery or car door handles). I don't know about car materials laws in the U.S., so I can't tell you whether that could happen - I am not a materials scientist - cadmium may be too brittle or have some sort of other problem which makes it unusable for shaping into a car door handle.
 
Many Aircraft components are coated with cadmium for corrosion and ware purposes. airplane5.gif
 
China jewelry makers say toxic metal cuts costs

YIWU, China – For China's low-cost jewelry makers, it was an open trade secret: The metal cadmium is shiny, strong and malleable at low temperatures, regardless of its health hazards. And it's cheap.

Despite the risks, manufacturers in factories ringing this city on China's east coast say their top priority is profit. So offering cut-rate goods often means using lower quality materials, including cadmium, which is known to cause cancer.

"Business is business, and it's all up to our client," said He Huihua, manager of the Suiyuan Jewelry Shop at International Trade City in Yiwu, a sprawling wholesale mecca where sellers pitch their wares in hopes of landing a lucrative export contract.

He spoke from a small cubicle with rows of dangling metal earrings and key chains hanging on the wall. Elsewhere, brooches, necklaces, charms and other baubles shone under the market's lights.

"We just make what our clients order. If they pay more, we use the better raw material, and vice-versa. From a few cents to a few dollars, we can make the same style of jewelry product with a different raw material."

Asked what he thought about the health risks associated with cadmium and other toxic metals, He said: "I can't be overly concerned about that."

More: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100112/ap_on_re_us/cadmium_jewelry_factories
 
James48843 said:
Buster-

Do you think the Chinese Hummer is going to have Cadmium plated shift levers?
Click to expand...
Furthermore...as you very well know…The HUMMER brand is owned now by a Chinese firm...but The vehicle itself, is still being built here in the USA....So I think we're safe for the time being.;)
 
nnuut said:
Many Aircraft components are coated with cadmium for corrosion and ware purposes.
Click to expand...
Yes, cadmium is very useful in electronics and possibily mechanical components. With things we don't eat :sick: or wear, it's a different matter. Don't lick the circuit board. Do not open the innards of an aircraft unless you know what you are doing.
 
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