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Report: More chains pull cadmium-suspect jewelry

February 08, 2010

Los Angeles--Teen clothing and accessories retailer Aeropostale and Saks Fifth Avenue outlet stores have each pulled from their shelves necklaces that an environmental group claims tested high for levels of cadmium, the Associated Press (AP) reports.

The retail chains join Wal-Mart and accessories retailer Claire's, which yanked cadmium-suspect children's jewelry from their shelves in January after an AP investigative report revealed that some Chinese manufacturers have been using cadmium, a metal known to cause cancer, in their jewelry products. There was particular concern about children because of the likelihood that they might bite or suck on jewelry and be more exposed to cadmium. The risk to adults isn't clear, the report said.

According to the AP report, the latest announcements from Aeropostale and the Saks outlets came as a result of the California-based Center for Environmental Health threatening to sue. The report said the agency tested adult jewelry sold at the chains, with the results revealing that between 25 and 75 percent of the items' total weight was cadmium.

In addition to removing the cadmium-suspect jewelry from its stores, Aeropostale Inc. has stated that from now on, no amount of cadmium will be accepted in its jewelry, and that suppliers will have to prove, via independent testing, that products are cadmium-free.

The announcement from Aeropostale, which operates more than 900 locations in North America, marks the first time a company has said it is effectively banning cadmium in adult jewelry, the AP report says.

A Saks spokeswoman told the AP that only 10 of the black-colored link necklaces were sold in California, but that they would be pulled off shelves in all 55 Saks Off 5th Stores and that consumers could return the items for a refund. The necklaces reportedly sold for $69.99 and were marked down from $149.99.

Read the full Associated Press report by clicking here.
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