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Heavy Metals in Jewelry

Jewelry has been part of human culture for millennia. However, not all jewelry is crafted from safe materials. Heavy metals in jewelry can pose negative effects to humans and the environment.

Heavy metal Jewelry

Common Heavy Metals in Jewelry

Jewelry commonly contains safe precious heavy metals like gold, platinum, and silver. Nevertheless, other heavy metals including lead, cadmium, nickel, and mercury can also be present in jewelry. These metals are highly toxic when absorbed by the body over time.

  1. Lead: Lead is commonly found in cheap costume jewelry, especially items manufactured outside stringent regulations. It is used in jewelry because it is inexpensive and can be easily molded into various shapes. Additionally, it can be part of metal alloys used to give jewelry specific properties, such as malleability or weight. Furthermore, lead-based compounds can be used in enamel or other decorative coatings to achieve vibrant colors.
  2. Cadmium: Cadmium is another hazardous metal used in some inexpensive, lower-quality, or mass-produced jewelry. The metal is often substituted for lead in some alloys to improve strength and durability. It can also be used in coatings or paints to give a shiny finish or vibrant colors.
  3. Nickel: Nickel can be found in many types of inexpensive and costume jewelry, including earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Nickel is strong and corrosion-resistant, making it ideal for jewelry that needs to withstand wear and tear. Moreover, it can create a shiny, polished look, and is often used in metal plating to give jewelry a bright, silver-like finish.
  4. Mercury: Mercury is rarely used in modern jewelry due to the significant health risks associated with its exposure. Mercury has historically been used in artisanal or antique jewelry, particularly in gilding processes where a thin layer of gold is applied to a surface using a mercury-based solution.

Ask Enviropass for non-destructive testing of heavy metals in your jewelry at the best price!

How To Detect Heavy Metals in Jewelry?

Detecting heavy metals in jewelry can be done using advanced techniques like X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, a non-destructive method widely used for metal testing. XRF works by exposing the jewelry to a beam of high-energy X-rays, which causes the atoms in the sample to emit fluorescent (or secondary) X-rays. Each element emits a unique energy signature, allowing the XRF device to identify and quantify the presence of specific metals like lead, cadmium, or nickel. This technology is highly effective for quickly determining the composition of jewelry without damaging it. XRF analysis is commonly used in regulatory compliance testing, manufacturing, and quality control to ensure that jewelry is free from toxic heavy metals. It’s an efficient and reliable way to assess the safety of jewelry materials.

Standards and Laws Regulating Heavy Metals in Jewelry

Governments worldwide have enacted legislation to limit or ban the use of harmful heavy metals in consumer products, including jewelry.

European Union (EU)

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) enforces strict limits on using nickel, lead, and cadmium in jewelry under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (EU REACH) regulation.

For example, Nickel is limited to 0.5 micrograms per square centimeter per week of metal release for products in prolonged skin contact. Notably, the acceptable threshold is 0.2 micrograms per square centimeter per week for jewelry inserted into pierced ears or other human body parts.

Furthermore, the use of cadmium in jewelry is restricted to 0.01% by weight (or 100 parts per million – ppm), and lead content is capped at 0.05% (or 500 ppm) for children’s and adult’s jewelry.

United States

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) enforces regulations to prevent the sale of jewelry containing harmful levels of lead and cadmium, especially in products marketed to children. Additionally, the CPSC has issued warnings and recalls for jewelry items containing unsafe levels of cadmium and other toxic metals.

Moreover, under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, lead content in children’s jewelry is restricted to 100 ppm.

Some states, like California, have stricter laws. Proposition 65 requires businesses to provide warnings if their products, including jewelry, expose consumers to certain chemicals, including heavy metals like lead, cadmium, nickel, and mercury. Jewelry containing these metals must carry a warning label if the exposure levels exceed safe harbor limits. These limits are often stricter than federal standards. In addition, California also has the Metal-Containing Jewelry Law restricting the use of lead and cadmium in all types of jewelry.

Canada

Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) is the primary law governing consumer product safety in Canada, including jewelry. Under the CCPSA, jewelry can be recalled or banned by Health Canada if containing harmful levels of heavy metals like lead or cadmium.

Also, the Children’s Jewelry Regulation (SOR/2018-82) specifically applies to children’s jewelry. This regulation set limits to 90 mg/kg (or 90 ppm) for total lead and 130 mg/kg (or 130 ppm) for cadmium.

Furthermore, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) regulates the release of toxic substances into the environment. Substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium are regulated as toxic, indirectly influencing their use in consumer products like jewelry.

Health Risks of Heavy Metals in Jewelry

The health effects of heavy metals in jewelry depend on the metal type and the duration of exposure. The body can absorb these metals through the skin, inhaled, or ingested, especially in cases where children put jewelry in their mouths.

Lead

Lead can be harmful when ingested or inhaled, especially by children, and is known to affect the brain and nervous system. It can accumulate in the body over time and harm vital organs, such as the kidneys and liver. Lead poisoning can lead to developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems in children. Moreover, it can result in high blood pressure, joint and muscle pain, fertility problems, memory loss, and headaches in adults.

Cadmium

Cadmium is highly toxic, especially if ingested or inhaled. Children are particularly at risk if they put jewelry in their mouths. It is a known carcinogen, meaning long-term exposure can increase the risk of certain cancers. In addition, prolonged exposure to cadmium can lead to kidney damage and respiratory issues. It can also weaken bones by disrupting calcium metabolism, leading to conditions such as osteoporosis.

Nickel

Although nickel is less toxic than lead or cadmium, it can cause severe allergic reactions. Consequently, contact with nickel can lead to allergic contact dermatitis, characterized by itchy, red, and swollen skin. Repeated exposure to nickel can lead to chronic skin irritation, especially with items like earrings, necklaces, rings, or watches that have prolonged contact with the skin. Once a nickel allergy develops, it usually lasts a lifetime.

Mercury

Mercury is highly toxic and small amounts of exposure can lead to serious health problems. Inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact with mercury can damage the nervous system, kidneys, and lungs. Chronic mercury exposure can also cause mercury poisoning, leading to symptoms such as:

    •  tremors,
    • memory problems,
    • mood changes, and
    • impaired motor skills.

Environmental Risks of Heavy Metals in Jewelry

Due to their persistence and toxicity characteristics, lead, cadmium, nickel, and mercury pose significant environmental risks. Therefore, improper disposal of toxic heavy metals-containing jewelry can lead to environmental contamination.

Lead and cadmium can contaminate soil and water, harming plants and animals, and disrupting ecosystems.

Mercury, especially in its methylmercury form, bioaccumulates in aquatic food chains, endangering fish and wildlife, and can affect human health through seafood consumption.

Although nickel is less toxic than the others, it can still lead to soil and water contamination, impacting biodiversity and causing long-term damage to ecosystems.

Contact the Enviropass lab for your testing requirements!