Walmart's Miley Cyrus bracelets and necklaces contain high levels of the toxic metal cadmium, tests performed for the Associated Press revealed.
Testing of 61 samples from the Miley Cyrus collection and a line of bracelet charms found that 59 pieces contained between 5 percent and 10 percent cadmium by weight, the news agency said.
The chain, which was notified of the test results in February, last month said that it has begun requiring suppliers to prove that little cadmium is in their products or Wal-Mart Stores Inc. would reject them, the AP said. Testing products already in stores would not be feasible, Wal-Mart reportedly stated.
The Miley Cyrus pieces are aimed at "juniors," Wal-Mart told the AP.
Health concerns arise when kids put the jewelry in their mouths. Cadmium, a carcinogen, has been linked to kidney failure and bone softening, and some research suggests it may interfere with brain development in young children.
The importer of the bracelet charms, Cousin Corp. of America, said one of the Chinese factories it relies on has stopped using cadmium. "Our intention as a company is to never willingly cause harm to a child," Roy Gudgeon, vice president of merchandise at Florida-based Cousin, told the AP.
Last Updated: May 20, 2010