Children’s Jewellery Containing Lead (Fact Sheet)
2007
ISBN: 0-662-68846-5
Cat. No.: H46-2/05-406
HC Pub: 4521
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 (102K)
Danger of Poisoning
Lead is a soft, heavy metal which is poisonous when absorbed into the body.
Lead is often used to make jewellery because it is inexpensive
and easy to shape and mold. Wearing jewellery containing
lead does not cause harm, but children sucking, chewing or
swallowing this type of jewellery can cause damage to their
bodies, especially to their nervous system. While some
jewellery may have paint or a top coating, this does not
make the jewellery safer for children because the coating
can be chewed or worn off.
Lead in jewellery and other products may look different
from pure lead, depending on how much lead is in the
product. Items that are made with a high percentage of
lead are greyish in colour, heavy for their size and may
leave a grey mark when rubbed against a piece of white
paper if the lead is not coated.
In Canada, it is illegal to import, advertise or sell jewellery which contains more than
600 milligrams of lead per kilogram of metal.
- Check your child's jewellery. If you suspect it may contain lead,
throw it out in your regular household waste.
- Do not give young children adult jewellery to wear or play with; it may have lead.
- Do not allow children to suck or chew on any jewellery.
- If your child has sucked or chewed regularly on jewellery which you think may contain lead,
ask your doctor to test your child's blood for lead.
For more information contact Product Safety, Health Canada.
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