Kids silver jewelry contains lead

An official warned children should avoid wearing silver jewelry because many silver products sold on the market have high levels of lead, which damages children's health, the Beijing News reported.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China (AQSIQ) studied 50 pieces of children's silver jewelry, and 14 had excessive amounts of lead, which could lead to anemia, hyperactivity, hearing disorders and mental retardation. The names of substandard jewelry were not released.

The anonymous official with AQSIQ pointed out that lead could enter into children's bodies through skin contact, licking and biting.