St. Charles County Department of Community
Health & The Environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, January 26, 2004

CONTACT:
Gil Copley, Director, Department of Community Health and the Environment                                   636-949-7477
Julie Burkemper, Public Information Officer                                                                                      636-949-7408

Consumer Product Safety Recall
Charm Bracelets Contain High Levels of Lead

St. Charles County - St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment is informing all residents that on January 11, 2005, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Riviera Trading Inc. announced a voluntary recall of metallic costume charm bracelets due to contamination from lead. These bracelets, manufactured in China by Riviera Trading Inc of New York, contain high levels of lead and pose a lead poisoning hazard to children. Consumers are asked to immediately take these bracelets away from young children.

According to Gil Copley, Director of St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment, “Children under the age of six are most susceptible to childhood lead poisoning. They absorb lead more readily than older children and adults and are in a critical stage of their development. Lead poisoning can lead to a wide range of health effects, most not obvious, so it is extremely important for residents to act in accordance with recalls such as this one to prevent lead exposure in the first place. Just having and handling the jewelry is not likely to be a problem but if a child has been observed chewing or sucking on the bracelet then it would be prudent to talk to the child's doctor to see if a blood lead test is needed.” Copley said.

The recalled bracelets have heart, oval, and rectangular shaped charms that have the phrases; “I like sports,” “I like movies,” “I like shopping,” and “I like music,” printed on them. The bracelets also contain various colored plastic trinkets.

The bracelets were sold from October 2003 through November 2004 for about six dollars. They were sold at Belk, Bloomingdales, Carson Pirie Scott, Kohl’s, Parisians and Proffitts Department Stores nationwide. A refund is available from Riviera Trading Inc by calling (800) 524-0110.

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