The federal government is cracking down on the use of toxic cadmium in children's jewelry, proposing such strict limits on cadmium levels in kids' jewelry, it will essentially amount to a ban.
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq is proposing to restrict cadmium levels in kids' jewelry to 130 parts per million -- or no more than 0.013 per cent of a product's total weight..
Though cadmium is impossible to detect with the naked eye, lab tests have repeatedly spotted it on inexpensive imported jewelry.
With restrictions already in place on lead levels in kids' toys, many manufacturers have turned to cadmium as a cheap substitute. It's often used in electroplating and to create reds and yellows in some paints.
But the heavy metal may be even more harmful than lead if it is repeatedly licked or sucked. It is a known carcinogen and can also cause bone softening and kidney problems.
There is no known risk from just wearing cadmium-laced jewelry. But children are known to place jewelry and trinkets in their mouth to suck, and the metal becomes toxic once ingested.
The government says it will collect feedback on its proposed guidelines until Oct. 10. Once passed, the new rule will allow Ottawa to conduct risk assessments on products that might be laced with cadmium and issue orders for a recall. Prosecution is also possible.
There's no word on whether Ottawa has any plans to extend the cadmium ban beyond children's jewelry.
Last fall, the department asked importers, retailers and manufacturers to voluntarily keep cadmium-laced jewelry off the market.
New legislation now gives the department more powers to enforce consumer safety measures. Ottawa says it now has the leeway to make the voluntary ban far stricter.
"This proposed guideline makes our expectations of industry clear," Aglukkaq said in a press release on Monday.
"Consumer products that pose a danger to human health or safety may not be manufactured, distributed, imported or sold in Canada."
If need be, Aglukkaq says she will move to regulate cadmium -- a process that takes longer than passing a guideline.
With files from The Canadian Press
