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Follow on Google News | Ashland University Study Confirms Inexpensive Jewelry Can Release High Levels of Dangerous CadmiumAshland University chemistry professor research shows inexpensive jewelry may release high levels of the toxic metal when children mouth or swallow items
The study, conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Weidenhamer, professor of chemistry at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio, measured bioavailability, or how much cadmium leached out of the jewelry. The research also found that damaged pieces of jewelry in some cases leached up to 30 times more cadmium than undamaged pieces. “Our hope is that the potential hazards of cadmium-laden jewelry will be taken seriously. While the bioavailability of cadmium from many items was low, the amounts of cadmium obtained from other items were extraordinarily high and clearly dangerous if these items were mouthed or swallowed by children,” Weidenhamer said. The research was conducted with assistance from three Ashland University students -- Jennifer Miller, integrated science education major from West Union, Ohio, and two toxicology students -- Daphne Guinn from Stockport, Ohio, and Janna Pearson from Barberton, Ohio. Cadmium, a heavy metal, can cause kidney, bone, lung and liver disease. Cadmium contamination is a global health concern. Most human exposure comes from food or tobacco grown with cadmium-rich phosphate fertilizer. Health effects typically are not acute but instead result from chronic, long-term exposure. Because cadmium can accumulate in the body, all exposures should be avoided. Agencies around the world, including the World Health Organization, are working to regulate the use and disposal of the heavy metal. Last year, in testing conducted for an Associated Press (AP) investigative report, Weidenhamer found high concentrations of the soft, whitish metal in inexpensive jewelry imported into the United States from China. The jewelry contamination represented a new avenue of cadmium exposure for children. “It was a complete surprise to find such high amounts of cadmium—up to 90 percent by weight—in some of these jewelry items,” Weidenhamer said of the AP investigation. “Given the toxicity of cadmium, information on its bioavailability was needed in order to evaluate the potential risks. That is what motivated [the EHP] study.” Weidenhamer’ For the current study, Weidenhamer’ Of 34 pieces of jewelry tested under mouthing conditions, one piece (a football pendant) yielded 2,109 micrograms of cadmium—more than 100 times the CPSC-recommended limit of 18 micrograms for maximum exposure through mouthing. Eight other pieces exceeded the 18-microgram limit. Of 92 pieces of jewelry from 57 different jewelry items tested under ingestion conditions, two pieces (a football pendant and a heart charm) yielded more than 20,000 micrograms of cadmium, 100 times the CPSC-recommended maximum exposure of 200 micrograms through ingestion. Fourteen samples yielded more than 1,000 micrograms. The researchers found the amount of cadmium released increased linearly over time, indicating that the longer an item stays in a child’s stomach, the greater the potential for harm. Because normal use, especially by children, can damage jewelry, separate tests were conducted on pieces whose outer coatings were purposefully damaged. Six damaged sandal charms tested in dilute hydrochloric acid for 96 hours yielded a mean of 30,600 micrograms of cadmium, more than 30 times as much cadmium as intact charms, which yielded a mean of 912 micrograms. “To think there are products on the shelf that you could pull thousands of micrograms of cadmium off by simple extractions like this is very concerning,” The article “Bioavailability of Cadmium in Inexpensive Jewelry” is available March 4 free of charge at http://ehponline.org/ Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) # # # Ashland University is a private Ohio university that values the individual student & offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with faculty who build nurturing relationships with students. End
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