Attention Cadmium

A research concerning the presence of cadmium in jewelry for children coming from China has been initiated by the US authorities on product security, since laboratory controls revealed that some of the jewelry is composed almost entirely from the highly toxic metal. Cadmium is a soft, pale metal which is found naturally in the ground. It is used mostly in rechargeable batteries of nickel and cadmium, as well as in paint, electronics and plastics. A lab control organized by Associated Press and performed by chemistry professor Jeff Weidenhamer at the Ashland University, Ohio, proved a high content of cadmium in cheap children bracelets and necklaces coming from China and sold in popular department stores all over the US. In some cases, the percent of cadmium surpassed 905 of the object’s total weight. In others the percent was of 89%, 86%, or 84%. The control showed that on many of this jewelry cadmium was easily diffusible, thus augmenting the levels of exposure for children. Chronic exposure to cadmium is highly dangerous, as it can cause cancer, a leak of vital proteins from the kidneys and spontaneous breaking of bones. Concerning children, cadmium is highly dangerous since developing bodies are more receptive and cadmium builds up in the kidneys for years. According to studies, cadmium can also effect negatively the development of a child’s brain. «Even small quantities of chemicals can alter radically the growth of a body: comments Dr. Robert O. Wright, a professor in Harvard University Medical and Public Health School. A recent research by DR. Wright revealed that a repeated exposure to cadmium might increased the possibility of learning difficulties for children. Researches conducted by Dr. Aimin Chen of the Medical School of Cincinnati University prove that cadmium affects the younger brain. Even though lead is the heavy metal that has been associated more with inimical effects on the development of cognitional functions, Dr Chen has reached the conclusion that cadmium diminishes even more the IQ level- even though cadmium does not affect often the U.S. children, since cadmium exposure is not as common as lead exposure. In conclusion, one must pay a great care to toys and fancy jewelry bought for children. Cheap jewelry can hide more dangers that we think. {gallery}material_cadmium{/gallery}