Toxic Jewelry Samples

Toxic Jewelry Samples 2017

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has uncovered jewelry for adults and children containing dangerously high amounts of lead in one or more components of the jewelry items. The following shows a sample of the confiscated jewelry.

Officials with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) have issued an alert to manufacturers and vendors – who supply jewelry for fairs and festivals being held in California this summer – to be on the lookout for lead-tainted items.

Read DTSC’s press release entitled, “State Asks Fairs & Festivals to be Alert for Lead-Tainted Jewelry” (to view this news release, contact WebCoord@dtsc.ca.gov and provide this page link and title of the news release).

Click here to download a PDF file of lead-tainted jewelry.

DTSC Scientists Find Lead in Children’s and Religious Jewelry

The jewelry was discovered in warehouses in southern California. Some of it was imported from China and was packaged with labels claiming to be lead free. However, an analysis by the Department of Toxic Substances Control’s Environmental Chemistry Laboratory showed some of the jewelry contained lead that exceeded California’s regulatory limit.

Read DTSC’s press release entitled, “State Finds High Amounts of Lead in Children’s and Religious Jewelry.”