Health Hazards - Children's Jewelry

Children, especially young girls, like to wear fashion jewelry. However, buying jewelry for children isn't just a matter of getting a smaller size than the adult version. There are several safety concerns to consider. Don't worry... I won't name names and cite details. If you need convincing, there are references at the end of this article for further reading.

Choking Hazards

There are two major choking hazards associated with jewelry. First, any item that can come apart into pieces small enough to fit into a child's mouth represents a choking hazard. Even if a child doesn't choke on a small item, it could contain sharp edges that might cause an internal perforation or blockage. Since most jewelry items are small enough to fit in a child's mouth (an exception that comes to mind are the big interlocking bead necklaces), don't give jewelry to childen under age 3 (or older, if the child still puts things in his or her mouth). Earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets are cute on a little girl, but they do present a health risk. (The choking risk from swallowing items isn't just restricted to toddlers. Teens with oral piercings can inhale or ingest their jewelry. Piercings, in general, are associated with numerous health risks, some permanent and some fatal.)

Another choking hazard is associated with necklaces that are too strong to break when they become caught on a stationary object. Kids are more active than adults, so although an adult might not get into situations where a necklace could get caught and present a choking hazard, this is a very real scenario for children. Necklaces for children should break away under force. Although necklaces present the most serious threat, care should be taken with other jewelry as well.

Poisoning Hazards

Lead poisoning from jewelry is permanent, progressive, and sometimes fatal. You can get it from pewter, other metal jewelry, crystal, ceramic glazes used to coat beads, and solder used to join metal pieces together. There is lead-free pewter, but the metal used instead is antimony or bismuth... better than lead, but still not good for you! Other toxins in jewelry include heavy metals and dangerous organic compounds used in paints, dyes, and solders. The danger doesn't just apply to jewelry with obvious coatings: pearls and gemstones are usually processed using chemicals that present health hazards. The poisoning risk comes from children placing jewelry in their mouths, so pendants on necklaces should be especially suspect.

In addition to poisoning, children may have allergic reaction to metal components in jewelry. This includes metal-based colorants used in coatings. Even if a child doesn't have a reaction to a piece of metal jewelry now, the exposure could sensitize her to be more likely to develop an allergy when she becomes older.

Recommendations

From a health perspective, children really don't need to wear jewelry. However, my young daughter wears jewelry. Since I'm sure she's not alone, here are some recommendations for getting safe jewelry.

1. Don't buy metal jewelry.
   There are a whole host of reasons, from potential poisoning, to sensitizing a child toward future metal allergies, to increased risk of jewelry not breaking in a stress situation.
   
2. If you have to go with metal, choose sterling silver, niobium, or high karat gold or goldfill.
   Fewer sensitivities are associated with these metals. Avoid plated metals and anything containing nickel, chrome, or cobalt. Many steels contain chromium and cobalt, as do many blue and green glass beads and enamel coatings.
   
3. Consider acrylic.
   There are lots of beautiful acrylic (plastic) pieces available today! Many resemble crystals or gemstones or are pearlescent. Look for translucent or opaque jewels, without any paint or coatings.
   
4. Go natural.
   Fiber jewelry is very popular! Look for hemp, silk, linen, cotton, and more, perhaps with glass or plastic accent beads that are integrated into the design.

Further Reading

• CPSC, Charming Shoppes Inc. Announce Recall of Necklaces - This is a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall article from 1997.
  
• Lead in Children's Jewelry May Be Poisoning Kids - This is a report from KIRO 7 Eyewitness News, 2001.
  
• Kmart Pulls Jewelry in Response to KIRO 7 Investigation - Here's a follow-up from KIRO 7's report.
  
• Oral Piercing Can Have Consequences - The UAB Health System describes several risks associated with oral piercings.
  
• All That Glitters is Not Golden... To Your Mouth - The Massachussetts Dental Society cites its reasons for opposing oral piercing.
  
• Nickel and Latex Allergies Present Growing Allergy Epidemic - This article discusses reactions to nickel, chrome, cobalt, and latex as they relate to fashion jewelry.

Subscribe to AIA Jewelry Making