Friday, 25th June 2004 (4777 views)

A collection of retailers have been sued for breaking state law by not telling customers the jewellery they sold contains lead.

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.

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.

Attorney General Bill Lockyer alleged the levels were "well above" that requiring a warning to consumers under California law.

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."

However, it is alleged that the retailers are selling metal jewellery made with low-grade tin containing lead.

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.

 

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