Cadmium in China-made kids' jewelry sparks US probe

US authorities have begun investigating the presence of cadmium in Chinese-made children’s jewelry following a report that showed manufacturers had used the highly toxic metal as a substitute for lead, AP reported. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention ranks cadmium seventh out of 275 on a priority list of hazardous substances. The report indicated that some jewelry sold in the US contained as much as 91% cadmium by weight, and high amounts of cadmium were found in bracelet charms sold at US retailer Walmart. US law does not place any restrictions on cadmium in jewelry. Analysts say that manufacturers may have turned to the metal after the introduction of new restrictions on lead in consumer products in 2008, and amid falling global cadmium prices.