Federal regulators have for the first time revealed how they intend to police the problem presented by the toxic metal cadmium in children's jewelry.
Today's long-awaited guidance from the Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests an acceptable level of cadmium, a known carcinogen that can damage kidneys and bones. Cadmium has been used to make some children's jewelry since federal law banned the use of lead.
According to documents released Tuesday, instead of setting mandatory limits, the safety commission is choosing to allow the industry to police itself.
The question of exactly what the voluntary limits will be rests with a group that has been drafting a standard. It includes members of the jewelry industry, consumer advocates and the agency.
