Aeropostale, Saks’ outlets pull necklaces with cadmium; Aeropostale bans the metal in jewelry
By Justin Pritchard, APThursday, February 4, 2010
2 stores pull necklaces on toxic cadmium concern
LOS ANGELES — The teen fashion chain Aeropostale (air-uh-post-AL) and outlet stores of the upscale Saks Fifth Avenue are pulling from shelves necklaces that tests showed have high levels of the toxic metal cadmium.
Aeropostale also says that from now on, no level of cadmium will be acceptable in its jewelry — and that suppliers will have to prove products are clean.
Thursday’s announcements are the latest fallout from an Associated Press investigation that found some children’s jewelry is contaminated with cadmium, a known carcinogen that also can harm bones and kidneys.
In response, a California environmental group tested adult jewelry from stores including Aeropostale and Saks’ Off 5th outlets and this week threatened to sue the retailers based on the results.
