The massive June, 2010 recall of 12 million McDonald's 16-ounce Shrek drinking glasses, decorated with characters from the box office movie hit, is raising awareness of yet another chemical ingredient in everyday products that could have long term toxic effects on children: cadmium. Like lead paint (which is now heavily regulated), cadmium is being used for a variety of consumer applications. Yet few people understand the health hazards of cadmium exposure.
Safety Recalls of McDonald's Shrek Glasses Follows Recalls of Other Cadmium Products
It's impossible for parents to know whether a toy contains cadmium. Cadmium has shown up in children’s products that the average parent might not suspect of harboring anything toxic.
In the past several years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has taken actions to reduce or eliminate the poisoning from such products as
- imported crayons,
- imported non-glossy vinyl miniblinds,
- playground equipment and
- children's jewelry.
A few months ago, the chain store Claire's recalled about 19,000 "Best Friends" themed metal charm bracelets, made in China and sold for about $12, which tested as having high levels of cadmium.
Over 50,000 of Wal-Mart’s $5 cadmium-tainted necklaces for kids were subject to a recall on January, 2010.
Scientists' advice to consumers is to immediately take the recalled items away from children.
Exposure to Cadmium Mostly in Workplaces, Second-Hand Smoke
Cadmium can be either ingested or inhaled. Small traces build up over time; the health impact is long-term.
According to the CDC, most people who are exposed to cadmium are workers in manufacturing plants. However, second hand smoke also includes traces of cadmium, which can be either ingested or inhaled.
The health risks of exposure to cadmium include damage to vital organs such as the kidneys and lungs; it can also weaken bones or cause bone loss. The CDC notes that of the EPA's nearly 1700 sites on a "national priorities" list, 1,000 have contained cadmium.
Consumer Product Safety Commission Creating New Safety Standards for Cadmium as Health Risk
In January, 2010, during a toy safety meeting, the head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Inez Tenenbaum, issued a statement on cadmium in children's products. She said she anticipates that cadmium will attract attention from consumer advocates, the media, and parents, adding that she encourages the public to ensure that "toy manufacturers and childrens product manufacturers in your country are not substituting cadmium, antimony, barium, in place of lead."
The agency is in the process of setting new cadmium safety standards
Meanwhile, thanks to the McDonald's Shrek glasses recall, consumers now know that cadmium might also be in mass-produced painted plastic glasses. For parents, that might just mean that the best bet is to be careful when buying inexpensive kitchenware is to stick with simple, old-fashioned glasses – and stay tuned for the next surprising appearance of cadmium where one least expects to find it.
Source:
Consumer Product Safety Commission Statement on Cadmium in Children's Products, Jan. 11, 2010
ToxFAQs for Cadmium, Sept. 2008, US Department of Health and Human Services.
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