Warning
1998-23
April 22, 1998
Potential lead exposure from Kids Klub Necklace with Pendant
OTTAWA - Health Canada today warned Canadians about a potential danger of exposure to very high levels of lead associated with Kids Klub children's necklaces. Lead from the necklace can be ingested when children put the heart-shaped necklace in their mouths.
The necklace, distributed by CBI Distributing, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, U.S.A. and packaged under the Kids Klub brand name, is described as a metal pendant with a coloured plastic insert. They are believed to have been sold at Claire's Boutique stores nation-wide.
Laboratory results showed that the metal pendant contained 1022 ppm leachable lead, exceeding by more than ten times the internationally recognized standard of 90 ppm leachable lead for toys. Even low levels of lead may have harmful health effects on the intellectual and behavioural development of infants and young children.
Health Canada is aware of at least one reported incident of an elevated blood lead level found in a child who was exposed to this product.
Consumers who have purchased these products are advised to dispose of them immediately. Since these pendants contain lead, they should be dropped off at local hazardous waste handling depots (contact your local municipality to determine hours of operation and location) or returned to Claire's Boutique stores for appropriate disposal.
The head office of Claire's Boutique stores is cooperating with Health Canada and has agreed to a voluntary recall of this product. The Health Protection Branch of Health Canada is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall. Health Canada and the company are also taking steps to ensure that none of Claire's Boutiques remaining products contain quantities of lead exceeding the internationally recognized standard.
For further information, consumers should contact their nearest Product Safety Office of Health Canada listed below:
- Burnaby (604) 666-5003
- Edmonton (403) 495-2626
- Calgary (403) 292-4677
- Saskatoon (306) 975-4028
- Winnipeg (204) 983-5490
- Scarborough (416) 973-4705
- Hamilton (905) 572-2845
- Montreal (514) 283-5488
- Sillery (418) 648-4327
- Moncton (506) 851-6638
- Dartmouth (902) 426-8300
- St. John's (709) 772-4050
Photograph of product
Media inquiries:
Margot Geduld
Health Canada
(613) 957-1803
Public Inquiries
(613) 957-2991
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