MORE ON: lead

McDonald's recalled 12 million Shrek glasses because of cadmium. The federal government later said the glasses were safe.

Daily Report: Health and Welfare

As cadmium limit looms, safety debate emerges

January 3, 2011, 12:06 AM

For many consumers, 2010 was the first time they had ever heard of cadmium in children's products like jewelry. At the beginning of the year, an Associated Press investigation found high levels of the toxic metal in charm bracelets sold at national retailers, spurring the chairman of the U... + read more

Daily Report: Health and Welfare

More lead found in children's products

November 29, 2010, 12:05 AM

High levels of lead were discovered in a handful of children’s products and adult jewelry items found at major retail stores in California, according to a news release from the Center for Environmental Health. As part of its ongoing lead-testing program, the center bought 370 children... + read more

Daily Report: Health and Welfare

Rainbow Apparel vendors cited as more lead-tainted jewelry found

November 11, 2010, 12:05 AM

The California attorney general's office on Monday cited CVS/pharmacy and two Rainbow Apparel vendors for selling jewelry with illegal levels of lead. The items contained as much as 62 percent lead – more than 10 times the legal limit. Last month, California Watch reported that the... + read more

Public Engagement Manager Ashley Alvarado speaks with shoppers at the Richmond Flea Market

Daily Report: Health and Welfare

Lead screenings provide public-engagement platform

October 20, 2010, 12:20 AM

Report. Write. Edit. Publish. At many news outlets, that’s all that is expected; that’s the life of the story. But at California Watch, we aim to do more. Through high-impact articles and innovative thinking, we want to reach new audiences and converse with the communities we serve... + read more

Daily Report: Health and Welfare

Lead-tainted jewelry item found at flea market

October 20, 2010, 12:05 AM

Every Sunday, the Richmond Flea Market hosts more than 5,000 people looking for good bargains and cheap eats. From jumbles of clothes to miscellaneous computer parts, live chickens and puppies, shoppers can find just about anything – including jewelry. Earlier this month, I reported that... + read more

These kids' chairs contained high levels of lead and were sold online by Target.

Daily Report: Health and Welfare

High levels of lead found in kids' products at Walmart, Target

October 14, 2010, 12:05 AM

Lab tests showed high levels of lead in children's products sold at Walmart and Target, an Oakland-based environmental group said yesterday. The Center for Environmental Health found that kids' chairs and bean bags, foam jewelry beads and toy boxing gloves all exceeded the federal... + read more

A procession of Thomas toys ready for zapping

Daily Report: Health and Welfare

A father tests his son’s Thomas trains for lead, and holds his breath

October 12, 2010, 12:05 AM

A small wooden train, as green as grass, is placed carefully on a foot-high platform directly over a red beam of light. The beam comes from an X-ray fluorescence gun fastened to a stand below. The unit rests on my desk on the second floor of the California Watch newsroom. A protective lid... + read more

Daily Report:

California Watch tests new way to engage readers with lead-jewelry project

October 5, 2010, 12:25 AM

Make a difference. Innovate. Engage communities. That’s what we’re trying to do at California Watch. Our ultimate goal is to produce high-impact stories that prompt change, serve the public and reach audiences in new ways. So we are especially proud of our story... + read more

Spotlight: Health and Welfare

VIDEO: Second, California Watch sends items with highest levels to lab

October 2, 2010, 1:32 PM

Items that exhibited high lead levels during an initial screening at the Center for Environmental Health were sent to Forensic Analytical Laboratory in Hayward for testing. All six items that screened high in the first round, tested high for lead at the lab. + read more

Spotlight: Health and Welfare

VIDEO: First, California Watch screens items for lead

October 2, 2010, 1:32 PM

California Watch reporters bought 30 items at Rainbow Apparel stores in the Bay Area. The Oakland-based Center for Environmental Health performed initial screens for lead. The group regularly performs lead screenings for the state attorney general. + read more

Spotlight: Health and Welfare

State repeatedly cites national retailer for selling lead-tainted jewelry

October 2, 2010, 11:45 AM

As Americans consume more and more products from China and other countries with weaker consumer safety regulations, the case of Rainbow Apparel shows how persistent the problem of lead contamination can be and how, in turn, consumers may never know if their trinkets are safe. + read more

Spotlight: Health and Welfare

GRAPHIC: The top six jewelry items with the highest lead levels

October 2, 2010, 11:08 AM

Rainbow Apparel has been cited repeatedly for selling lead-tainted jewelry, resulting in five warning notices from the state in a span of 16 months. + read more