Metal Contamination in Low-Cost Jewelry and Toys in Cambodia

Abstract

Cambodia imports most of its consumer products from nearby countries and the rate of economic growth of Cambodia has produced a high demand for consumer products. 1 This influx of consumer products requires a more rapid, effective system of quality control. Consumer products that are imported and sold in Cambodia can contain chemical contaminants that pose serious adverse health effects to consumers. About one-third of the skin creams analyzed in Phnom Penh contained mercury (Hg) in amounts higher than Background. The existence of lead-contaminated consumer products is a global issue. Toys and low-cost jewelry may contain toxic metals and Cambodia is known to have consumer products with toxic metals. Objectives. It is important to inform Cambodians about sources of toxic metals so that they can reduce their exposure risk, particularly for children. Methods. Student volunteers purchased, or brought from home, low-cost jewelry and toys to either the University of Health Science or a Don Bosco Institute in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where they were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The initial analysis was performed in 2011. A subset of the 2011 samples was re-analyzed in 2015 using new preparation techniques and a new x-ray fluorescence (XRF) unit. Discussion. The analysis of low-cost jewelry in Phnom Penh in 2015 indicated that lead in jewelry clasps is a more serious health concern than was first perceived in 2011. Mercury, nickel, cadmium and copper were also found in toys, and occasionally these toys had been produced by well-known companies. Sources of jewelry production of samples in the present study are unknown. Lead in clasps in low-cost jewelry appeared to be the greatest risk to children in our sampling. Conclusion. One-third of toys and low-cost jewelry exceeded the United States and European Union guidelines for heavy metals. XRF analysis allows for rapid screening of lead and other toxic metals and could be used to reduce the sales of low-cost jewelry and toys containing toxic metals.

A Low-Cost Method Shows Potentially Toxic Element Levels in Dust Correlated with Elevated Blood Levels of These Chemicals in Children Exposed to an Informal Home-Based Production Environment

“…High metal concentrations can also pose a health risk after the production process during use of the items by children. High Pb concentrations in low-cost jewelry from Cambodia were detected using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurements [ 31 ]. These health risks can also be found in developed countries, where high Cd in inexpensive jewelry using XRF measurements was found [ 29 ].…”

Toxic metal analysis of external and internal compositions and lixiviation pattern of costume jewelry

“…The resulting combination of materials includes cheap metals, such as iron or nickel, and sometimes even heavy metal alloys containing cadmium and lead, superficially treated to simulate noble metals (Weidenhamer & Clement, 2007;Guney & Zagury, 2013;Guney & Zagury, 2014). In the scientific literature several works from different countries have already identified the hazardous of toxic metals exposure due to costume jewelries (Moitra, Brashier & Sahu, 2014;Murphy et al, 2016;Adie, Oyebade & Atanda, 2020). As in the ancient Trojan horse myth, the shiny surface of a ring might be just a decoy for hazardous substances ready to attack the person wearing it and the environment.…”

Preliminary Study of Heavy Metals in Low-Cost Jewelry Items Available in Nigerian Markets

“…For instance, lead (Pb) is known to reduce intelligence quotient, especially in children, induce kidney damage and can be fatal with high dose exposures. 3 , 5 Other acute symptoms from Pb poisoning can include loss of appetite, headache, hypertension, abdominal pain, arthritis, etc. 6 A possible lead toxicity mechanism could occur when Pb 2+ replaces other bivalent cations like calcium (II), magnesium (II) and iron (II) and monovalent cations like sodium (I), which eventually disrupts the biological metabolism of the cell.…”

“…Elemental Pb is usually added to paints as a coloring agent in the production of toys and low-cost jewelry items to prevent free radicals from reacting to form acidic media. 5 Furthermore, heavy metals are sometimes intentionally added to jewelry items to serve as coating agents, to lower the cost of manufacturing (as many of them are cheap), for easier workability, to provide shiny surfaces and to make jewelry items heavier in attempt to mimic superior quality products.…”