High Lead Content in Jewellery Sold on the Swedish Market
High doses of lead have been found in jewellery sold on the Swedish market. While other countries have imposed restrictions on lead content in jewellery, Sweden has decided to wait for EU legislation to be implemented around 2012. Until then, Swedish consumers are left to decide for themselves what jewellery is safe to buy. Earlier this summer the Swedish Chemicals Agency tested jewellery sold on the Swedish market and found that some of it had up to 27 percent lead. One of the agency's principal advisers on hazard and risk analysis points out the adverse health effects of lead. [Sten Flodström, Principal Adviser, Swedish Chemicals Agency] English, Male: "It´s toxic for all livings things, it kills cells or organisms in high enough doses, it causes various health problems." Lead is used in cheap jewellery to make it feel more authentic by making it heavier. After reports of children dying from lead poisoning in the United States and Japan, many countries set strict rules on how much lead is allowed in jewellery. In a 2007 report, the Swedish Chemicals Agency revealed that large quantities of cheap jewellery with high doses of lead mostly came from China and India. The Agency proposed limiting lead in jewellery to 0.1 percent. The Swedish Ministry of Environment didn´t follow that proposal, but decided to work on an upcoming EU-legislation instead. They think it will be better in the long run, than setting a national law. [Mats Forkman, Investigator, Swedish Chemicals <b>...</b>
NTD NTDTV World News EU Swedish Chemicals Agency toxic organisms United States Japan China India Environment Indiska consumers Stockholm
