This really concerned me because working in the hospital my coworkers and I have gotten this gorgeous little charity bracelets. Upon reading this I thought it would be helpful to share the story. I know there are tons of people who have purchased these and a little awareness would definitely be of great help. Please read the following, this might pertain to you or your family. Great head’s up for everyone!
By Jenn Abelson, Globe Staff September 21, 2007
The Friends of Mel Foundation, a local cancer charity that has raised more than $1 million for Massachusetts General Hospital by selling bracelets, today recalled about 200,000 of the beaded jewelry sold over the past two years because they contain high levels of lead. The foundation tested the bracelets last week after receiving an email that a 9-month-old boy apparently ingested lead from a bracelet.
Independent lab tests conducted on various bracelets by Massachusetts Materials Research Inc. showed that the multicolored beads contain no lead, but that the small silver-toned rings connecting the beads have a high lead content. The beads are from China and Turkey and the small rings are from China, according to Jackie Herskovitz, a foundation spokeswoman. Friends of Mel said the foundation was misled by a Chinese supplier, Ningbo Metal Manufacturing, who had promised in writing before signing a contract that the silver-toned rings did not contain lead. Ningbo could not be reached for comment late Friday evening.“The organization feels like they were lied to and were given bad product,” Herskovitz said. “It’s such a shame.”
Nancy Sterling, another foundation spokeswoman, could not identify the foreign supplier and said Friends of Mel has been unable to contact the family of the boy who had lead poisoning, but has reached out to the person who forwarded the e-mail. Sterling said the e-mail noted the boy was “doing well” but she did not have any information on whether he had been hospitalized.
The disclosure is the latest in a series of massive recalls in recent months, including more than 19 million toys, because of high levels of lead। Last year, Canton sneaker maker Reebok International Ltd. recalled more than 300,000 charm bracelets after one was linked to the lead-poisoning death of a 4-year-old in Minnesota. The bracelets, which were manufactured in China, were offered as gifts with the purchase of some children’s footwear.
By Jenn Abelson, Globe Staff September 21, 2007
The Friends of Mel Foundation, a local cancer charity that has raised more than $1 million for Massachusetts General Hospital by selling bracelets, today recalled about 200,000 of the beaded jewelry sold over the past two years because they contain high levels of lead. The foundation tested the bracelets last week after receiving an email that a 9-month-old boy apparently ingested lead from a bracelet.
Independent lab tests conducted on various bracelets by Massachusetts Materials Research Inc. showed that the multicolored beads contain no lead, but that the small silver-toned rings connecting the beads have a high lead content. The beads are from China and Turkey and the small rings are from China, according to Jackie Herskovitz, a foundation spokeswoman. Friends of Mel said the foundation was misled by a Chinese supplier, Ningbo Metal Manufacturing, who had promised in writing before signing a contract that the silver-toned rings did not contain lead. Ningbo could not be reached for comment late Friday evening.“The organization feels like they were lied to and were given bad product,” Herskovitz said. “It’s such a shame.”
Nancy Sterling, another foundation spokeswoman, could not identify the foreign supplier and said Friends of Mel has been unable to contact the family of the boy who had lead poisoning, but has reached out to the person who forwarded the e-mail. Sterling said the e-mail noted the boy was “doing well” but she did not have any information on whether he had been hospitalized.
The disclosure is the latest in a series of massive recalls in recent months, including more than 19 million toys, because of high levels of lead। Last year, Canton sneaker maker Reebok International Ltd. recalled more than 300,000 charm bracelets after one was linked to the lead-poisoning death of a 4-year-old in Minnesota. The bracelets, which were manufactured in China, were offered as gifts with the purchase of some children’s footwear.
Please if you own one of these bracelets, make sure you get checked out by your primary physician. Just to be on the safe side!!!
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