Wal-Mart limiting toxic cadmium in kids’ products, but what’s on shelves may not comply

Wal-Mart to limit toxic cadmium in kids’ products

LOS ANGELES — Wal-Mart says it will limit how much of the toxic metal cadmium can be in children’s jewelry and other kids’ products it sells.

The policy doesn’t affect what’s on the shelf right now.

Instead, children’s jewelry, toys, child care articles and children’s jewelry craft-making kits manufactured on or after April 9th are being tested.

The announcement by the world’s largest retailer is a voluntary move. Though cadmium is known to harm bones and kidneys, there are no government regulations on how much of it can be in children’s jewelry.

The decision was spurred by investigative reports by The Associated Press that showed high levels of cadmium in some pieces of children’s jewelry, including several which Wal-Mart Stores Inc. subsequently recalled.