Tots’ toxic jewelry recalled

Federal regulators have once again recalled children’s jewelry items that were found to contain high levels of the toxic metal cadmium.

In mid-March, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warned parents to throw away Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer-brand, Christmas- and winter-themed charm bracelets, which were manufactured in China and sold in the United States at discount and dollar stores between 2006 and March 2009. The bracelets are the government’s second jewelry recall this year related to high levels of cadmium, according to The Associated Press.

Cadmium is a heavy metal that is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a “probable human carcinogen,” and is linked to kidney and bone damage in children. So far, no incidences of cadmium poisoning from the toxic jewelry have been reported.