On the same day that the McDonald’s restaurant chain announced it will recall 12 million glasses that contain the human carcinogen cadmium, Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that she has signed a bill into law that will enact significant restrictions on cadmium in children’s jewelry.
Beginning in 2014, the law prohibits children’s jewelry containing cadmium of more than .0075 % by weight from being sold, offered for sale or distributed in Connecticut.
“This law will protect Connecticut’s children from a known poison,” Governor Rell said. “Prolonged exposure to cadmium can cause damage to the central nervous system and result in developmental disabilities. Many people are shocked to learn that this chemical can be found in children’s jewelry. It is also found in other products as evidenced by the McDonald’s recall announced today.”
Most cadmium in the United States is extracted during the production of other metals like zinc, lead and copper. Cadmium does not corrode easily and is used in such products as batteries, pigments, metal coatings and plastic. The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services has determined that cadmium and cadmium compounds are human carcinogens. A few studies in animals indicate that the young absorb more cadmium than adults. Animal studies also indicate that the young are more susceptible than adults to a loss of bone and decreased bone strength from exposure to cadmium.
“I want to keep Connecticut at the forefront of chemical policy reforms,” Governor Rell said. “This law builds on our successes in phasing out toxic chemicals from children’s products – products like lead and Bisphenol-A.”
In 2009, Governor Rell signed a bill that made Connecticut the first state to ban the chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) from infant formula and baby food cans and jars, as well as the full range of reusable food and beverage containers.
