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Friday, 25th June 2004 (6158 views)

A collection of retailers have been sued for breaking state law by not telling customers the jewellery they sold contains lead.<BR/><BR/>Macy's, Target, Wal-Mart, Kmart, JC Penney, Mervyn's, Nordstrom, Ross, Sears, Express, Claire's, Toys "R" Us and Burlington Coat Factory were all named in the lawsuit.<BR/><BR/>According to tests high levels of lead were found in both the metal and non-metal parts of costume jewellery marketed by the retailers at teenagers and younger children.<BR/><BR/>Attorney General Bill Lockyer alleged the levels were "well above" that requiring a warning to consumers under California law.<BR/><BR/>Jeffrey Margulies, a lawyer representing six of the retailers, said: "As retailers, obviously the companies are deeply concerned about the welfare of their customers, but they are not currently aware of any hazard posed by the jewellery." <BR/><BR/>However, it is alleged that the retailers are selling metal jewellery made with low-grade tin containing lead. <BR/><BR/>Lead can be absorbed either through the skin or through hand-to-mouth contact, and if ingested in sufficient quantities can cause brain damage, kidney damage, hearing loss and birth defects.<img src="http://directnews.dehavilland.co.uk/dn.gif?feedid=196&itemid=2900099"/>

 

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