Some of the nation's largest retailers agreed to reduce lead in costume jewelry sold mainly to children in California under a settlement announced Friday with Attorney General Bill Lockyer.
Some of the nation's largest retailers agreed to reduce lead in costume jewelry sold mainly to children in California under a settlement announced Friday with Attorney General Bill Lockyer.
The $1.875 million deal calls for 71 major retailers and distributors to meet new standards for lead-free and low-lead jewelry by 2008 and finance a consumer education program about the health risks of lead exposure.
Lockyer had sued the companies in 2004, accusing them of skirting the state's anti-toxics law -- Proposition 65 -- by failing to warn consumers about health risks of exposure to lead contained in some jewelry.
"The power of the law is stimulating the costume jewelry industry to employ methods to reduce and eliminate lead from their products in order to avoid having to warn consumers about the health risks," Lockyer said in a statement.
Scientists say lead in jewelry could cause high blood pressure and brain damage over time.
Companies agreeing to settlement include Federated Department Stores, Mervyn's, Nordstrom, Target, Toys "R" Us and Claire's. Litigation continues with Wal-Mart, Jordache, Papaya Stores, Gerson Co. and Royal Items.
Source: Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
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