Metal Contamination in Low-Cost Jewelry and Toys in Cambodia
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 r...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Pure Earth
2016-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Health and Pollution |
| Subjects: |
| _version_ | 1828843165703995392 |
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| author | Thomas Murphy Sereyrath Lim Sothea Kim Kim Irvine Withwetin Chaiwat Kenneth Wilson |
| author_facet | Thomas Murphy Sereyrath Lim Sothea Kim Kim Irvine Withwetin Chaiwat Kenneth Wilson |
| author_sort | Thomas Murphy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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.
Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T20:39:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e5992225ecf04442a3157f93117e0df4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2156-9614 2156-9614 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T20:39:41Z |
| publishDate | 2016-01-01 |
| publisher | Pure Earth |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Health and Pollution |
| spelling | doaj.art-e5992225ecf04442a3157f93117e0df42022-12-22T00:12:47ZengPure EarthJournal of Health and Pollution2156-96142156-96142016-01-01475710.5696/2156-9614-6-11.472156-9614-6-11.47Metal Contamination in Low-Cost Jewelry and Toys in CambodiaThomas Murphy0Sereyrath Lim1Sothea Kim2Kim Irvine3Withwetin Chaiwat4Kenneth Wilson5Buffalo State, University of New York, Buffalo, USABuffalo State, University of New York, Buffalo, USAUniversity of Health Sciences, Phnom Penh, CambodiaNanyang Technological University, SingaporeCleverich, Co Ltd, Bangkok, ThailandTexas State University, USA; and Royal University of Phnom Penh, CambodiaBackground. 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. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.Toxic metalsleadtoyscosmetic jewelryCambodia |
| spellingShingle | Thomas Murphy Sereyrath Lim Sothea Kim Kim Irvine Withwetin Chaiwat Kenneth Wilson Metal Contamination in Low-Cost Jewelry and Toys in Cambodia Journal of Health and Pollution Toxic metals lead toys cosmetic jewelry Cambodia |
| title | Metal Contamination in Low-Cost Jewelry and Toys in Cambodia |
| title_full | Metal Contamination in Low-Cost Jewelry and Toys in Cambodia |
| title_fullStr | Metal Contamination in Low-Cost Jewelry and Toys in Cambodia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Metal Contamination in Low-Cost Jewelry and Toys in Cambodia |
| title_short | Metal Contamination in Low-Cost Jewelry and Toys in Cambodia |
| title_sort | metal contamination in low cost jewelry and toys in cambodia |
| topic | Toxic metals lead toys cosmetic jewelry Cambodia |
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