PrintEach violation notice from the California attorney general's office and response from Rainbow Apparel is included below as a PDF.
May 2009: The state attorney general’s office notifies Rainbow Apparel that its Emeryville Rainbow and Richmond 5-7-9 stores are selling jewelry that violates California’s lead standards. The state tests four of the same necklace and finds their clasps contain 16 to 43 percent lead. A pair of earrings tests at 43 percent lead. The clasp of a necklace is 45 percent lead.
October 2009: The attorney general’s office issues a violation notice after an Oakland Rainbow store is found selling a pair of black faux-leather hoop earrings that exceed lead limits.
January 2010: The attorney general’s office issues a violation notice aimed at Rainbow for two items bought from a Richmond Rainbow store. Two necklaces are found with clasps that register 85 percent lead or more. Both were labeled “kids.”
June 2010: The attorney general’s office sends its most sweeping violation notice to date, finding that 16 jewelry items bought at Rainbow stores exceed state lead limits. Most of the items register from 80 to 97 percent lead. Three of the toxic pieces of jewelry are labeled “kids.” One is labeled “lead free.” Most of the jewelry comes from a Rainbow in Richmond, but some items come from a Richmond 5-7-9, an Oakland Rainbow and an Emeryville Rainbow. Attorney General Jerry Brown requests a meeting with Rainbow officials. To date, no meeting has been set.
September 2010: The attorney general’s office sends a fifth violation notice after finding lead in three necklaces at Rainbow stores in Oakland and Emeryville. The clasps on the necklaces range from 59 to 71 percent lead. California Watch had bought one of the same necklaces in July, tested it and found the clasp was 16 percent lead.
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