A Santa Monica-based online retailer has agreed to stop selling jewelry containing excessive lead levels and pay a $17,000 penalty following an enforcement action by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, state officials announced Wednesday.
TheBeadChest.com, one of the top online sellers of beads and jewelry-making supplies to individual craftspeople and hobbyists, was found to be selling jewelry that violated California's Metal-Containing Jewelry Law, which places strict limits on the amount of lead that can be present in jewelry sold or offered for sale in the state.
Operators of the site have agreed to immediately cease offering non-compliant jewelry for sale and pay the $17,000 fine, the agency said.
DTSC Director Katherine Butler said the case underscores the urgency of expanding enforcement beyond traditional storefronts to the growing online marketplace.
"Online marketplaces have a broad reach, which makes swift action essential," Butler said. "We appreciate this retailer took immediate steps to protect their customers from harmful lead exposure in jewelry. We expect other online retailers to do the same."
The action marks an expansion of DTSC's ongoing enforcement efforts, which have historically focused on brick-and-mortar retailers, to include online sellers.
Widespread Danger
Lead is frequently used in jewelry manufacturing because it makes base metals easier to shape, adds weight to make pieces feel more substantial, and is cheaper than alternatives such as zinc. It is also sometimes used as a stabilizer in polyvinyl chloride plastics commonly incorporated into children's jewelry.
The health risks associated with excessive lead exposure are severe, particularly for young children. According to DTSC, exposure can cause behavioral problems, learning disabilities, developmental delays, irreversible brain damage, organ failure and death. Children 6 years old and younger are especially vulnerable because their bodies and brains are still developing.
Lead-containing jewelry poses a particular danger to children because they frequently place jewelry in their mouths, which can result in dangerous levels of lead absorption — or far more serious consequences if a piece is accidentally swallowed.
Exposure occurs primarily through ingestion, though inhalation of lead dust or fumes also poses risks. Absorption through the skin from wearing jewelry is considered less likely to pose a significant health threat, according to the agency.
How Lead Jewelry Enters the Market
Most jewelry found to contain dangerous lead levels has been manufactured overseas and imported into the United States, DTSC said. The majority of recent recalls by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have involved jewelry made in China, though some recalled pieces originated in India and other countries. In recent years, the federal agency announced jewelry recalls on a near-monthly basis, suggesting the problem is widespread.
Under California's Metal-Containing Jewelry Law, anyone who manufactures, ships, sells or offers jewelry for retail sale or promotion in the state must comply with lead content restrictions. The law applies to online sellers shipping to California customers, not just physical storefronts.
Manufacturers and suppliers are required to provide certification that their jewelry meets the law's requirements, either by furnishing documentation upon request or by displaying the certification prominently on shipping containers or packaging.
What Parents Should Do
DTSC urged parents to immediately remove from children's reach any jewelry suspected of containing lead. A blood test is the only way to determine whether a child has been exposed to elevated lead levels, though such a test cannot identify the specific source of exposure. Parents who believe their child may have put lead-containing jewelry in their mouth should consult a health care provider and request a blood test.
The agency noted that it occasionally offers jewelry screening at events throughout the year, and that commercial lead testing kits are available at some retailers. Consumers seeking more information can visit the DTSC website.
DTSC said it is primarily focusing its enforcement resources on new and mass-produced jewelry. While the law technically covers vintage pieces as well, the agency acknowledged that required testing methods are destructive and therefore not feasible for one-of-a-kind antique items. Regardless of lead content, all jewelry should be stored out of reach of children.
DTSC's mission includes protecting California communities from toxic substances and compelling manufacturers to produce safer consumer products. Consumers can report illegal handling or disposal of hazardous waste through the CalEPA Environmental Complaint System.
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For more information, visit the California Department of Toxic Substances Control at dtsc.ca.gov.