Lead limited in kids' jewelry

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A government regulatory agency has taken steps toward banning children's jewelry containing small amounts of lead, which was responsible for more than a dozen product recalls in the past two years.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously to move forward in a process that could ultimately lead to a ban on children's jewelry containing more than 0.06 percent lead by weight. The commission currently has two members and one vacancy.
"Our goal is not to continue to do recall after recall," CPSC spokesman Scott Wolfson said. "We've had upwards of 14 recalls since 2004."
The commission's action was taken late Wednesday.
The CPSC works with companies to issue recalls when it finds consumer goods that can be harmful. Under current regulations, children's products found to have more than 0.06 percent lead are usually subject to a recall, in which the company must reimburse consumers for the value of the product, provide a replacement or offer a repair.
In March a Minnesota boy died of lead poisoning after swallowing a metal pendant from a charm bracelet that came with a pair of Reebok shoes.
The event resulted in a recall. In 2004, the CPSC issued the biggest recall in the agency's history -- 150 million pieces of children's jewelry with unsafe lead levels.
Earlier this month the CPSC staff urged the commission to evaluate safety of children's jewelry by total lead content, and ban anything with more than .06 percent lead by weight.
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